Female urologists definitively exist. Urology is the medical and surgical specialty focused on the urinary tract (kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra) of both men and women, and also addresses the male reproductive organs. Urologists treat a wide array of conditions affecting all genders, from kidney stones and cancers to frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urinary incontinence. Although historically perceived as male-focused due to its emphasis on prostate and male reproductive health, female urologists are fully trained to manage the entire scope of urologic care for all patients.
The Current Landscape of Female Urologists
Urology has long been recognized as one of the most male-dominated surgical specialties. For many years, women represented a very small fraction of practicing urologists, often as low as 8 to 12 percent of the total workforce. This historical imbalance reflects broader societal and institutional barriers within surgical fields.
However, the demographic composition of the specialty is undergoing a significant shift. Recent data indicates that women now make up 10 to 11 percent of all practicing urologists, a number that is steadily climbing. The most pronounced change is visible at the training level, where a much larger percentage of current urology residents are female. This growth suggests that the proportion of female urologists will continue to increase in the coming years as these trainees enter practice.
Female urologists often gravitate toward certain subspecialties, such as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS)—often called urogynecology—or Pediatric Urology. This focus on conditions highly prevalent in women and children helps meet the increasing demand from patients who specifically seek a female provider. Female urologists have also been observed to spend more time with patients during typical office visits compared to their male counterparts, indicating a potential difference in communication style.
Common Reasons Patients Seek Female Urologists
Seeking a female urologist is a valid preference often rooted in a desire for comfort and a sense of shared understanding. Many of the conditions treated by urologists involve highly sensitive or intimate areas of the body, such as issues related to sexual health, urinary control, and pelvic floor disorders. Patients may feel more comfortable openly discussing these delicate symptoms with a female provider.
Recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse are common reasons women seek urologic care. When discussing issues like stress incontinence following childbirth or changes in bladder function during menopause, some patients feel that a female urologist may bring a valuable perspective informed by shared life experiences. This perception can lead to a more relaxed and effective dialogue about symptoms and treatment options.
Female urologists also perform a higher proportion of surgeries on female patients compared to their male colleagues. This indicates a strong patient preference for female surgeons when dealing with female-specific procedures, such as those for pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence. The underlying motivation is often the expectation of a higher level of empathy and a communication style that validates the patient’s experience. Ultimately, the goal is to find a provider with whom the patient feels the most trust and ease when addressing deeply personal health concerns.
Finding a Female Urologist
Finding a female urologist requires utilizing specific search strategies across professional and institutional platforms. The American Urological Association (AUA) maintains a directory, often accessible through the Urology Care Foundation, which serves as a starting point for locating credentialed providers. While the AUA public directory itself may not always have a gender filter, searching for providers who specialize in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) or “Female Urology” can often narrow the results to female practitioners.
Insurance company websites and provider directories are another valuable tool, as they allow users to filter search results by specialty, location, and provider gender. Using your specific insurance plan’s online search function ensures that the provider is in-network, which is important for cost and coverage. Large hospital systems and academic medical centers maintain comprehensive, searchable physician lists on their websites, which usually include gender and subspecialty interests.
Telehealth services have also expanded access to female urologists, especially for patients living in areas with fewer local specialists. Many female urology practices offer virtual appointments for initial consultations, medication management, and follow-up care for conditions like UTIs and incontinence. This option can eliminate the need for travel and allows patients to connect with a female expert regardless of geographic proximity. Once a potential provider is found, verify their board certification and specific sub-specialty training, such as FPMRS, to ensure their expertise aligns with the patient’s needs.