What Percentage of Urologists Are Female?

Urology has historically been a male-dominated specialty, but the number of female practitioners has gradually increased. Despite this progress, gender disparities remain noticeable compared to other medical fields.

Understanding the proportion of female urologists highlights broader trends in medical workforce diversity and access to care.

Representation of Female Practitioners

The presence of women in urology has grown steadily, yet they remain a minority. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), as of 2022, approximately 10% of practicing urologists in the United States are female. This marks a significant increase from previous decades but still lags behind other surgical specialties. In comparison, women comprise about 38% of general surgery residents and nearly 60% of obstetrician-gynecologists, highlighting the slower pace of gender diversification in urology.

One contributing factor is the historical perception of urology as a male-oriented specialty due to its focus on conditions such as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. While urologists treat a wide range of conditions affecting both sexes—including kidney stones, urinary incontinence, and bladder cancer—this perception has influenced medical students’ specialty choices. Studies indicate that female medical students are less likely to receive mentorship from female urologists, impacting their decision to enter the field. A 2021 study in Urology found that mentorship from female urologists significantly increased the likelihood of female medical students considering the specialty.

Workplace culture and training environments also shape gender demographics. Surveys of female urologists report challenges such as implicit bias, limited access to leadership roles, and compensation disparities. A 2020 analysis in The Journal of Urology found that female urologists earn approximately 22% less than their male counterparts, even after adjusting for experience and procedural volume. Women are also underrepresented in academic leadership, with fewer holding department chair or program director roles. These structural barriers can deter prospective female trainees, slowing progress toward gender parity.

Variation in Subspecialties

The distribution of female urologists varies across subspecialties. Certain fields have a relatively higher proportion of female practitioners, such as female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS), which focuses on conditions like pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. According to the American Board of Urology, women make up approximately 30% of FPMRS-certified urologists, likely influenced by patient demographics and female patients’ preference for female specialists in sensitive health matters.

Conversely, subspecialties focusing on male urological conditions, such as andrology and urologic oncology, tend to have fewer female practitioners. Andrology, which includes male infertility and erectile dysfunction, remains one of the least gender-diverse areas in urology. A 2021 study in Fertility and Sterility found that fewer than 5% of andrology specialists in the U.S. were women. Similarly, a 2022 analysis in The Journal of Urology reported that fewer than 8% of fellowship-trained urologic oncologists were female. The procedural intensity and demanding nature of oncologic surgery may contribute to this imbalance, as lifestyle considerations disproportionately impact female surgeons’ career choices.

Pediatric urology has a different gender dynamic, with a growing number of female practitioners. Women account for approximately 20% of pediatric urologists, a higher percentage than in adult-focused subspecialties. The collaborative nature of the specialty, its focus on non-oncologic and reconstructive procedures, and the appeal of a patient population not aligned with the male-dominated perception of urology may contribute to this trend. A 2020 survey in The Journal of Pediatric Urology found that female pediatric urologists reported higher job satisfaction compared to those in other urologic subspecialties, potentially influencing residency graduates’ career decisions.

Geographic Differences

The proportion of female urologists varies by region, influenced by medical education policies, cultural perceptions, and healthcare infrastructure. In North America, the U.S. and Canada have seen a steady rise in female representation, though numbers remain low. Data from the Canadian Urological Association indicate that women comprise approximately 13% of practicing urologists in Canada, slightly higher than in the U.S. Urban centers with large academic institutions tend to have a higher concentration of female urologists, as these environments foster mentorship and professional networks that support gender diversity.

In Europe, female representation in urology varies widely. Scandinavian countries, known for progressive gender inclusion, have some of the highest proportions of female urologists. Sweden reports that nearly 20% of its urology workforce is female, reflecting broader trends in gender parity across medical fields. Meanwhile, countries such as Germany and Italy have lower percentages, often due to traditional views on surgical careers and the demanding nature of the specialty. A 2021 report from the European Association of Urology noted that in some Southern and Eastern European nations, female representation in urology remains below 7%, with limited structural support for work-life balance contributing to these disparities.

Outside North America and Europe, gender representation in urology varies even more. In Australia, female participation has been increasing, with women comprising around 15% of the field. In many parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, female urologists remain rare. Cultural expectations regarding gender roles in medicine can create barriers, particularly in surgical specialties. In Japan, women account for less than 5% of urologists, reflecting broader trends in surgical fields where female surgeons face systemic challenges in career advancement. Similarly, in regions with limited medical education opportunities for women, urology remains heavily male-dominated, with few initiatives addressing the gender gap.