Urology in Mexico City

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of the female and male urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). This branch of medicine also deals with male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

Urology has a number of sub-disciplines, including:

• Endourology – this sub-discipline of urology deals with the closed manipulation of the urinary tract. It includes all minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures, such as prostate surgery and stone removal surgery.
• Urologic oncology – this focuses on the treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases, such as cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidney, ureters, adrenal glands, testicles, or penis.
• Neurourology – this deals with the treatment of conditions involving the nervous control of the genitourinary system or abnormal urination.
• Pediatric urology – this focuses on urologic disorders in children, such as congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), underdeveloped genitalia, enuresis, and vesicoureteral reflux.
• Andrology – this deals with disorders of the male reproductive system, such as ejaculatory disorders, erectile dysfunction, vasectomy reversal, and infertility.
• Reconstructive urology – this is a highly specialized field of male urology that deals with the reconstruction of both the structure and function of the genitourinary tract.
• Female urology – this deals with conditions of a woman’s reproductive and urinary tract, such as pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence.

Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists. Urologists can diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both women and men, as well as diagnosing and treating any problems in men’s reproductive tract. In some cases, urologists may also perform surgery. In the case of certain conditions, urologists may need to work in conjunction with medical professionals who specializes in other fields, such as oncologist, radiotherapists, nephrologist, and gynecologist.

Urologists can treat the following conditions:

In men:

• Prostate gland enlargement
• Cancers of the penis, bladder, testicles, kidneys, and adrenal and prostate glands
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome
• Prostatitis
• Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

In women:

• Cancer of the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands
• Bladder prolapse, or a condition in which the bladder drops into the vagina
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary incontinence
• UTIs

In children:

• Blockages and other problems with the urinary tract structure
• Bed-wetting
• Undescended testicles

What does Urology Involve?

During your first appointment, your urologist may ask you questions about your health history, any medicines you take, and your current symptoms. Your urologist may do a physical exam that includes a rectal and genital exam. They may also do some tests, such as:

• Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasound to help them locate the problem.
• A urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease.
• A cystoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) to see inside the urinary tract and take a sample of tissue for testing.
• A biopsy to check for cancer and other disorders.
• Urodynamic testing to check how fast the urine leaves your body, how much pressure there is in your bladder, and how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating.

After your urologist makes a diagnosis, the treatment will depend on your specific condition. It may include the use of medications and surgery.

Types of medication include:

• Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
• Antibiotics for infections
• Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
• Drugs that act on the smooth muscle of the bladder to help reduce urinary incontinence.

Some of the most common types of surgery include:

• A cystectomy, which is a procedure to remove the bladder. This procedure is used to treat cancer.
• A kidney transplant, which involves replacing a damaged or diseased kidney with a healthy one.
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones so they can be removed more easily.
• A repair of damage to the urinary tract due to injury.
• A procedure to open a blockage.
• A repair of urinary organs that are not well-formed.
• A prostatectomy, which is used to remove all or part of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed to treat prostate cancer.
• Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate, which removes excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate, which involves the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• A sling procedure, which uses strips of mesh in order to support the urethra and keep it closed. This procedure can treat urinary incontinence.
• A ureteroscopy, which involves the removal of stones in the kidneys and ureter using a scope.
• A vasectomy, which is a procedure to cut and tie the vas deferens, or the tubes that carry sperm. This is done to prevent pregnancy.
• A nephrectomy, which involves removing a kidney to treat cancer.

The surgery can be performed in one of two ways: open through a large incision, laparoscopically through several tiny incisions. Both methods are usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthetic may be used instead.

How Long Should I Stay in Mexico City?

Depending on the procedure you will have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or you will have to stay for up to 5 days. In general, it is highly advisable that you stay in Mexico City for several days following your procedure for initial recovery and to attend scheduled follow-up checkups. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the country for at least 10 to 14 days.

What's the Recovery Time?

The recovery time varies, depending on the procedure you have, the reason why you need the procedure, and your overall health. For surgical procedures, it may take about one to six weeks until you can go back to your full activity. For non-surgical procedures, you may be allowed to go back to your normal routine within several days. Your urologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline, which includes the time you can go back to work, normal activity, and strenuous activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting.

What About Aftercare?

Your urologist will give you a set of instructions for your aftercare. The instruction may include a diet plan, exercise, restrictions, and medication to take, and wound care. It is important that you follow every instruction closely. After surgery, you will be encouraged to do some light exercise, such as walking, to help your healing process. You may also need to eat easily digestible food until you are recovered.

Depending on your specific condition, you may need to attend regular checkups following your treatment. For instance, if you had cancer treatment, your doctor will suggest you attend a checkup once or twice a year to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of urology is at the forefront of research and innovation. Due to its constant advancement, the procedures are becoming more effective and safer. Each urological treatment is also known to offer high success rates. However, any procedure comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. Therefore, it is important that you choose a skilled and experienced urologist.

Are there Alternatives to Urology?

If you have any injury or disease in your urinary tract and/or reproductive organ (for men), there is no other alternative besides visiting a urology department. However, if your disease is found to be caused by other problems, the doctor will refer you to a relevant doctor.

Urology in and around Mexico City

About Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and is the largest and populated city with a population of around 9 million, whereas the greater metropolitan area has around 21.2 million.

Mexico City is not only the political, administrative, and financial center of Mexico but also a major center for medical tourism within the country. It is a popular destination for affordable and quality medical care for many US and Canadian citizens and recently has started to attract Europeans and some Asian medical.

The City offers health care facilities and procedures at international standards and at a fraction of the cost when compared to the US and other countries. According to the Ministry of Health in Mexico, the competitive cost of medical care in the country allows an average saving of about 50% to 70% in various treatments and surgical procedures, and with the added benefit of small waiting times.

Mexico City offers state-of-the-art medical care in Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopaedic, fertility treatments, and dental procedures. It has many famous hospitals with well-trained and board-certified doctors, and advanced medical equipment. Medica Sur, Hospital Espagnol, and Hospital Angeles, Dentalia Mexico City, and Ortopedia DF are some renowned hospitals and clinics in Mexico City. They have private rooms with all modern facilities and offer high standards of nursing care and the hospital staff all speak good English, which makes communication very easy.

Popular Areas in Mexico City

The City is located in the valley of Mexico and is surrounded by Mountains and two stunning snow-covered volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl tower above it. Though the city is very large, most of the popular attractions are in the historic city center, ‘Centro Historico de la Ciudad’. This is a 5.8 square mile UNESCO World Heritage site that has more than 14,000 important structures from the 16th to 19th Century.

Some important landmarks to visit in Mexico City are –

• Zocalo – The Constitution Square is right at the heart of the city. It measures around 240 meters in each direction and is the largest square in the world. The three major tourist attractions, the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor dominate this area.
• The National Palace –is the official seat of power of the President and is situated on the east side of the Zocalo, The combination of history, beautiful architecture, and the best Diego Rivera murals in Mexico City make it a must-visit destination.
• Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral – Made out of basalt and grey sandstone, this structure rests on top of the old Aztec temple precinct. It is one of the oldest and largest churches in the western hemisphere. Its prominent features are the bell towers and the statues of Faith, Hope, and Charity on the Clock Tower.
• Templo Mayor – It comprises the remains of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan (of the Aztec period). It includes the finely sculpted circular disc which is more than three meters in diameter and weighs eight-and-a-half tons.
• The National Museum of Anthropology – One of the famous museums in the world and is in Chapultepec Park. It is very prominent due to the large monolithic figure at its entrance. It has a vast and impressive collection of archaeological discoveries and information about the life of the contemporary Indian inhabitants of Mexico.

The Palace of Fine Arts, Chapultepec Park, National History Museum, and Paseo de la Reforma and the Angel of Independence are other important landmarks of the city.

Weather and Climate in Mexico City

Mexico City has a subtropical climate because of its location in the high plateaus. It experiences mild and pleasant weather throughout the year. Summers are warm and winters are mild. The annual average temperature is 64°F. The temperature does not vary much throughout the year but the warmest month is May and the coldest is January. The average maximum temperature in summer is 77°F and the average winter temperature is 45°F.

The average annual rainfall of Mexico City is high at 33.31 inches (846.0 mm). June to September is the rainy season, with July being the wettest month. During the summer, there can be a few spells of rain.

The City has dry periods from January to April and November to December. February is the driest month of the year.

Getting Around in Mexico City

You can reach Mexico City by flying into Mexico International Airport which is known as Benito Juarez International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Mexico and serves many airlines. The major Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Aeromexico Connect operate flights to many Latin American cities and domestic and international destinations from this airport. Many American Carriers also have direct flights to Mexico City. Domestic carriers like Interjet and Volaris also operate out of the airport, connecting Mexico City to other domestic cities. The other airport in the city, Licenciado Adolfo Lopez Mateos International Airport (TLC) services low-cost domestic airlines.

There are many bus operators that offer bus service from US cities to Mexico City. The City also offers a well-planned transportation system to get around in which is the metro system, the downtown rail, light rail, normal buses, BRT (bus rapid transport), minibusses, and trolleybuses. Public transportation is very cost-effective and efficient, but can also be very crowded.

If you don’t want to travel by public transport, then you can choose Uber and other private taxi services. They are a bit more expensive but are stress-free.   

Tourist Visas in Mexico City

Foreign Nationals wanting to enter Mexico must get a visa in advance unless they belong to any of the 67 eligible visa-exempt countries like the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia, or one of the three Electronic Authorization System eligible countries. Mexico also offers visa exemption to the people of any nationality who have a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada. They can travel to Mexico with their valid passports and can stay for up to 180 days.

However, citizens of countries like India, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, and many other countries need to apply and get a visa in advance to travel to Mexico for tourism.

Additional Information

• The currency used in Mexico City is the national currency of Mexico, the Mexican Peso (MXN). You can exchange your national currency for Pesos at any of the banks, or at Foreign Exchange Bureaus. The currency value of one US dollar is 18.84 MXN. You can also use your debit, credit, and travel cards in the city.
• Mexico City has all the major national and international banks. In such a large city, there are no shortages of ATMs.
• Spanish is the language widely spoken in Mexico City. Nahuatl, Otomi, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Mazahuaare are other commonly spoken indigenous languages. Due to the large expat population, English is also popular in the city.
• The family community is an important aspect of Mexican life. The locals are very conscious of their responsibilities towards their family members.
• Catholic Christianity or Roman Catholicism is the major religion in Mexico City. 83% of the population follow this religion.
• You will find the City celebrating Mexican holidays, both historic and religious throughout the year. Some of the important holidays are the –
  • Constitution Day – First Monday of February
  • Benito Juarez Day – Third Monday in March
  • Independence Day – September 16
  • Revolution Day – Third Monday in November
  • Navidad (Christmas) – December 25