Did you know that 1 in 2 1 people in the UK could experience a urology condition within their lifetime?
Urology refers to the urinary system, and encompasses your kidneys, urethra, bladder, pelvic floor – and if you’re a man your prostate and testicles, too.
Urologists diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including things like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, incontinence, prostate problems and cancers of the genitourinary system - like bladder or kidney cancer.
The problem is that so many of us don’t want to talk about issues with our waterworks. As women, we’ll even joke about it – crossing our legs when we sneeze after having a baby. But what that means is that too many of us are putting up with symptoms that could be improved with support, and could even be missing out on early diagnosis for conditions that can potentially escalate if left untreated.
Here's 5 common urology issues women face - and when you should be seeing a doctor to get help with them.
1. UTIs
What is a UTI?
50%-60% 2 of UK women could develop a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) 3 at least once in their life. They occur when bacteria enters the urinary trac through the urethra, and can cause bladder infections.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Symptoms can include needing to wee more urgently or more frequently than normal, a burning feeling when you go – and feeling like you haven’t quite emptied your bladder properly. Your urine might look cloudy, dark, or even pink, and might have a stronger smell than usual, too. You might also feel poorly, shivery and tired, and develop a high or even a very low temperature.
When should you get help?
If your symptoms persist for more than a day or so you should go to see a pharmacist or to your doctor. Pink wee indicates blood in your urine, and really needs to be checked out. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to more serious kidney infections.
How is it treated?
You might be asked for a urine sample to send off to check what kind of bacteria is in your urine. You might also be prescribed a short course of antibiotics.
Some UTIs can be reoccurring, or become chronic – usually if bacteria has entered the lining of your bladder. This might require a longer course of different antibiotics, vaginal creams or pessaries, or a referral to a urologist for further tests and treatments.
How can you avoid recurring UTIs?
You’re more likely to get a UTI if you’re pregnant, sexually active, or have a compromised immune system.
Things you can do to help prevent them include drinking plenty of fluids and wiping from front to back when you go to the loo - to avoid transferring bacteria from the bowel. Try weeing and washing immediately after sex, and avoiding scented soaps and tight clothing.
What you eat and drink might have an impact, too. Sugary foods and drinks can help bacteria grow, and alcohol can irritate your bladder, too.
Overactive bladder
What is an overactive bladder?
An overactive bladder 4 is a condition where the bladder muscles contract or squeeze too frequently, leading to a sudden and urgent need to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full.
What are the symptoms of an overactive bladder?
Common symptoms include frequent urination, a sudden and strong urge to go to the loo that’s hard to control and potentially urine leakage – which is also known as urge incontinence.
When should you get help?
If your bladder is impacting your life, it’s time to seek support. You don’t have to live with bladder discomfort or issues – there’s lots that can be done to help.
How is it treated?
There are various ways an overactive bladder can be treated, including lifestyle changes like bladder training, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and ensuring adequate fluid intake. Medications, such as antimuscarinics or botulinum toxin (botox) injections, can also be used to relax the bladder muscles.
What can you do to look after your bladder?
The best things you can do for your bladder include limiting the amount of irritants like caffeine and alcohol you drink, and ensuring you’re drinking enough – at least 1.5-2 litres per day. Practicing pelvic floor exercises can also help manage overactive bladder symptoms.
3. Incontinence
What is incontinence?
Urge incontinence isn’t the only kind of incontinence 5. It’s an issue that affects an estimated 34% 6 of women in the UK, causing significant problems for 8.5%.
The most common form is actually stress incontinence. This occurs when wee leaks out at times your bladder is put under pressure – so that sneeze or cough or laugh. You might also experience it if you’re jumping up and down, or doing other physical activity like lifting heavy objects. It’s usually the result of damage to or weakness in the muscles you use to prevent urination.
There’s also overflow incontinence – which when you’re unable to fully empty your bladder, and total incontinence - when your bladder cannot store any urine at all and you’re leaking wee constantly.
What are the symptoms of incontinence?
If you’re regularly leaking going about your normal everyday life, you could be suffering from some form of incontinence. It might be just a blob in your knickers, or larger amounts of liquid that are causing you bigger problems.
It’s a really, really common condition, and can be caused by any number of things, including pregnancy, a spinal injury, vaginal birth or birth injury, obesity - or just age.
When should you get help?
Leaking wee isn’t normal, and it isn’t something you should have to put up with. It’s really important to get medical attention to understand why you’re experiencing incontinence, and get support to manage and treat it.
How is it treated?
Lifestyle changes, bladder training and pelvic floor exercises can all help with incontinence, and there are also medications that be used to help control and treat the condition, too.
In some cases surgery might also be considered, depending on the type of incontinence you have. There could be a blockage or obstruction or even a hole or ‘fistula’ that can be fixed. There are also procedures 7 that can reduce pressure on the bladder or strengthen the muscles around it.
4. Pelvic organ prolapse
What is a pelvic organ prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse 8 is a condition where your pelvic organs, like your bladder, uterus, or bowel, drop from their normal position down into the vagina. This can happen when the pelvic floor muscles and tissues supporting these organs become weak or damaged.
What are the symptoms?
If you’re experiencing a pelvic organ prolapse you might feel heaviness or pressure in your pelvis, or in more extreme cases like something is actually falling out of your vagina. There might be a visible lump or bulge, too.
The prolapse might interfere with going to the loo and emptying your bladder or bowel, causing incontinence symptoms. You might also experience pain or discomfort during sex.
Women often experience a prolapse after childbirth, but you don’t have to have had children to be affected. Hormonal changes as you age can also weaken your pelvic floor muscles, and so can things like a chronic cough or constipation, being overweight, or even heavy lifting.
When should you get help?
If you notice a feeling of heaviness or a bulge inside your vagina, you should arrange to see your GP as soon as possible. Symptoms can worsen over time, and it’s best to get a prolapse seen to as quickly as possible.
Pelvic organ prolapse will usually be classified on a scale of 1 to 4 to show how sever it is, with 4 being a severe prolapse.
How is it treated?
There are lots of different treatment options for a pelvic floor prolapse. Pelvic floor exercises can help re-strengthen muscles, and things like hormone treatments or vaginal pessaries can also help in mild to moderate cases.
If your prolapse is more serious, surgery might be necessary to help lift and support the pelvic organs.
5. Bladder pain syndrome - Interstitial cystitis
What is bladder pain syndrome?
Painful bladder syndrome (PBS)[9], also known as interstitial cystitis (IC), is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary problems, often including the need to urinate frequently and urgently.
It's a poorly understood condition, meaning the underlying cause is not fully known, though research suggests it may involve damage to the bladder lining or a problem with the pelvic floor muscles.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of bladder pain syndrome include pain in the lower abdomen, often worsening as the bladder fills. You might get a strong and sudden urge to urinate, and need the loo more frequently – especially at night. Some people will also feel pain during intercourse.
While painful bladder syndrome isn’t an infection, it can mimic the symptoms of a UTI pretty closely. However, it is a chronic condition which in the worst cases can persist for months or years.
When should you get help?
If you are feeling pain as your bladder fills up, or have any other urinary tract symptoms, it’s time to make a GP appointment.
How is it treated?
Treatment is focussed on managing symptoms. Some people experience flare-ups in response to specific foods, drinks or stress factors, which can be avoided. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help, alongside medications to manage pain, bladder spasms and inflammation.
In some cases procedures like bladder instillations or bladder stretching may be considered.
3 ways your Equipsme plan can help
If you’re experiencing any kind of urology issue, your Equipsme plan is here to help.
24/7 GP appointments
Our 24/7 GP is on hand to help at a time that suits you – and it’s a great option if you can’t get to see your own GP, or just want a second opinion. Unlike other virtual GP services, our GPs can prescribe medicines, which means you can get the right treatment and hopefully start to get better faster.
Find out more about how to use the GP service
Nurse helpline
The nurse helpline phones are answered by qualified nurses, midwives and pharmacists, and it’s a great port of call if you’ve got questions about symptoms, treatments, or medications – or if you just need information and support on how best to look after yourself or someone else.
Find out more about the health helpline
Diagnosis and treatment
If diagnosis and treatment from AXA Health as part of your plan, it means you’ve got a fast track to getting on top of your waterworks issues. If your claim is covered, you can see an AXA Health Urologist at a private hospital near you, and get the health tests and answers you need, faster. To start a claim, you’ll need an Open Referral letter, which you can enquire about from your own NHS GP or the 24/6 private GP service from Health Hero.
Find out more about how to use our diagnosis services
Find out more about how to use our treatment services
To find out more about your Equipsme benefits and how to use them, visit your Member’s Portal www.equipsme.com/login
All our information is desk-based research from credible sources only, including the NHS, Cancer Research, and registered medical/disease charities.
Date created: October 2025
References
1 https://www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures/
2 https://www.theurologyfoundation.org/impact-achievements/facts-and-figures/
3 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
4 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/
5 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/
6 https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/incontinence-urinary-in-women/background-information/prevalence/
7 h ttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/surgery/
8 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/
9 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/interstitial-cystitis/
