Urology in Tel Aviv

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 Tel Aviv?

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 Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv

About Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv-Yafo commonly referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the economic and technological center of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline, the city is popular for its glimmering beaches, creative culture, non-stop nightlife, and architectural heritage. As Israel is becoming a popular medical tourism hub, thousands of medical tourists who seek medical treatments in this country choose Tel Aviv as their destination. The city’s medical system, as well as its doctors and medical professionals, are world-renowned. It boasts some of the finest medical centers, staffed with highly trained doctors and nurses. International tourists looking for world-class, innovative medical treatments can get any procedure they need for a fraction of the cost they would have to pay in their home countries.

Popular Parts of Tel Aviv

There’s no shortage of activities in Tel Aviv. With at least 300 days of sun per year, this hip and bustling city offer shimmering beaches for any sun-chaser. Gordon Beach is one of the most popular in the city. It boasts clear blue waters, volleyball courts, and a boardwalk full of restaurants serving fresh fish and Israeli cuisine. Besides the beaches, visitors usually go to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. This impressive gallery is set inside the modern ‘envelope’ building by American architect Preston Scott Cohen. The museum provides a lot of activities and collections to see, but the highlight is the collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, which features works by Pissarro, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and many more. Visitors who want to relax can visit Park HaYarkon, which is the city’s largest green space.

Transport in Tel Aviv

International tourists will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, which is located 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv. It serves flights to and from many cities around the world, including Seoul, Amsterdam, New York, and Beijing. The city’s relatively new overground railway system is the most affordable and easiest way to get around. Buses are available, but the routes can be a bit confusing. Taxis are widely available around the city and they are easy, albeit expensive, way to get around. 

Visas in Tel Aviv

Holders of passports issued by 99 countries, including all EU countries, Canada, Russia, and the US can enter and stay in the country for up to 3 months without a visa. Most other nationals are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival and are recommended to contact their nearest embassy of Israel as some countries need a confirmation from the Israeli government before a tourist visa is issued.

Weather in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv experience a typical Mediterranean climate. The winters are rainy and the summers are hot. The temperatures in the summer (June to August) can rise to 31°C - 34°C and the humidity can reach over 80%. Spring and fall have pleasant weather since the temperatures are not too high or low. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: New Israeli Shekel (ILS) is the official currency. 1 USD will get you approx. 3.5 ILS.
2. Money & Payments: It’s easy to find ATMs around the city. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is common, but typically not expected.
3. Local Language: Hebrew is the official language, while Arabic has a special status as a semi-official language. Most people can speak English fairly well.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population adheres to Judaism. Islam is the largest minority religion in the city, followed by Christianity.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates several public holidays, such as Independence Day, Hanukkah, and Jerusalem Day.