A blockage (obstruction) where the ureter connects to the kidney or bladder. This prevents urine flow. A blockage where the ureter and kidney meet (ureteropelvic junction) may cause the kidney to swell and eventually stop working.

Symptoms of kidney stone(s) include pain in your back or side, blood in your urine and nausea/vomiting alongside the pain. Most kidney stones are about the size of a chickpea, but they can also be as small as a grain of sand and as large as a golf ball. Although painful, small stones can pass through your urinary tract but surgery may be required for the larger ones.

A urinary tract infection is a very common type of infection in your urinary system. Bacteria — especially E. coli — are the most common cause of UTIs. Symptoms include needing to pee often, pain while peeing and pain in your side or lower back. Most UTIs can be treated with antibiotics.

Abnormally frequent urination (e.g., once every hour or two) is termed urinary frequency. Urgency is an abrupt, strong, often overwhelming, need to urinate. Urinary retention is a condition in which you are unable to empty all the urine from your bladder. Urinary retention is not a disease, but a condition that may be related to other health problems, such as prostate problems in men or a cystocele in women.

The experience of uncontrollably leaking urine can be an embarrassing issue for many people but is a fairly common problem. Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control that’s often seen in older adults and women who have given birth or gone through menopause. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic floor disorders and an enlarged prostate are other causes.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. There are many different causes, which may include conditions that affect your blood vessels, neurological conditions, mental health conditions and injuries. A healthcare provider can diagnose and treat erectile dysfunction.

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that stops sperm from leaving your body, providing permanent birth control (contraception). The procedure closes off the ends of the vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm. Vasectomy is safe and effective for preventing pregnancy, but it doesn’t protect against disease.

Urinary tract cancers such as prostate, kidney and bladder cancer can present themselves with a number of symptoms, or none at all.  Treatments for urinary cancers typically include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, sometimes immunotherapy.

Catheters, a thin tube usually inserted into the bladder, can be used short-term in situations like surgery.  They are also placed on a more long-term basis when used for managing urinary incontinence (leaking urine or being unable to control when you urinate) or urinary retention (being unable to empty your bladder when you need to).

Managing your catheter is important to prevent infections or other complications.  If your catheter comes out, seek medical assistance.  Do not try to put it back in on your own.  Also, check with your provider if you have:

• Blood clots or bright red blood in your pee
• Cloudy pee with a strong odor
• Fever over 101 F
• Little or no urine
• Pain in your belly
• Swelling, redness, pus, pain, or burning where the catheter goes into your body