What Is an Andrologist? When to See One and What They Treat

The word “andrology” comes from the Greek roots “andros” (man) and “logos” (science). Andrology is the branch of medicine focused exclusively on male sexual and reproductive health. An andrologist is a specialist physician who has received advanced training in this field. In Turkey, andrology is defined as a subspecialty of urology, and andrologists have completed urology specialization first, followed by 2–3 years of andrology subspecialty training.

The Difference Between an Andrologist and a Urologist

Feature	Urologist	Andrologist
Scope	Entire urinary system + male reproduction	Only male sexual and reproductive health
Training	5 years of urology	Urology + 2–3 years of andrology
Treatment area	Kidney, bladder, prostate, testes, penis	Sexual dysfunction, infertility, TRT
Surgery	Broad spectrum	Focused on microsurgery (varicocelectomy, TESE)
Psychological dimension	Limited	Works in coordination with sex therapist

Every andrologist can also practice as a urologist; however, not every urologist is an andrologist.

What Diseases Does an Andrologist Treat?

Sexual Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Diagnosis: IIEF-5, penile Doppler ultrasound, hormonal panel, nocturnal tumescence
Treatment: Lifestyle + medication (PDE5 inhibitors) → ESWT → P-Shot → vacuum → ICI → prosthesis implant

Premature Ejaculation (PE)

Diagnosis: IELT measurement, PEDT questionnaire, hormonal assessment
Treatment: Behavioral techniques, topical agents, dapoxetine, SSRIs

Delayed Ejaculation / Anorgasmia

Diagnosis: Neurological examination, hormonal panel, medication review
Treatment: Medication adjustment, vibration therapy, psychotherapy

Peyronie’s Disease (Penile Curvature)

Diagnosis: Clinical examination, penile Doppler, plaque measurement
Treatment: Collagenase injection, ESWT, penile traction, surgical correction

Male Infertility

Problem	Andrologist’s Role
Varicocele	Microsurgical varicocelectomy
Obstructive azoospermia	TESA/TESE, reconstructive surgery
Non-obstructive azoospermia	Micro-TESE for sperm retrieval
Sperm DNA damage	Antioxidant therapy, lifestyle changes
Hormonal infertility	Gonadotropin therapy
Low sperm quality	Treatment + ICSI/IVF coordination

Hormonal Disorders

Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone)

Primary hypogonadism: Testicular origin (Klinefelter, orchitis, chemotherapy)
Secondary hypogonadism: Hypothalamic-pituitary disorder (hyperprolactinemia, hypopituitarism)
TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy): Gel, injection, patch, pellet forms
Monitoring: PSA, hematocrit, lipid profile, testosterone levels

Hyperprolactinemia

Should be investigated when loss of libido + ED + gynecomastia occur together
Treatment: Dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocriptine) or surgery

Gynecomastia

Breast enlargement in men; hormonal or drug-related
Treatment: Elimination of cause; surgery if necessary

Testicular and Scrotal Pathologies

Varicocele: Varicose veins that impair sperm quality; the most common cause of male infertility
Hydrocele: Fluid accumulation around the testicle
Testicular mass: Benign or malignant; urgent evaluation required
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle): Andrologist + pediatric urologist follow-up during childhood
Epididymitis / Orchitis: Infection-related pain and swelling

When Should You See an Andrologist?

Situation	Referral
Erectile dysfunction lasting 6+ months	Andrologist / urologist
Uncontrolled premature ejaculation	Andrologist
12 months unprotected intercourse + no pregnancy	Andrologist (semen analysis + evaluation)
Loss of libido + fatigue + muscle loss	Andrologist or endocrinology
Testicular pain or mass	Urgent urology / andrologist
Penile curvature (Peyronie’s)	Andrologist
Suspected low testosterone	Andrologist
Change in semen color/consistency	Andrologist

What to Expect at Your First Andrologist Visit

Detailed history: Duration of sexual problem, erection quality (0–10 scale), ejaculation, libido, presence of nocturnal erections, medication use, chronic illness
Physical examination: Penile exam, testicular palpation, signs of hormonal insufficiency
Questionnaire assessment: IIEF-5 (ED), PEDT (PE), ADAM (testosterone deficiency)
Laboratory orders: Testosterone, LH, FSH, PRL, blood sugar, lipids, PSA
Imaging decision: Penile Doppler or scrotal ultrasound as needed

Current Approaches in Andrology Treatments

Regenerative Medicine

Modern andrology is no longer limited to just medication and surgery:

Treatment	Mechanism	Area of Use
P-Shot (PRP)	Tissue regeneration with growth factors	ED, Peyronie’s
ESWT (Shock wave)	Neovascularization, NO increase	Vascular ED
SVF / Stem cell	Endothelial regeneration	Advanced ED
Exosome therapy	Intercellular signal improvement	ED, infertility

Andrology in Turkey: How to Find a Specialist

Andrology is officially defined as a subspecialty of urology in Turkey. To find an andrology specialist:

Turkish Andrology Association (TAD) member list is the most reliable source
Andrology units are available at university hospitals and training and research hospitals in major cities
Private clinics: They may operate under the name “men’s health clinic” or “sexual health”; always verify the physician’s urology + andrology training

Frequently Asked Questions

Is seeing an andrologist embarrassing? No. Andrology is a purely medical field. Physicians evaluate these problems as part of their daily routine; there is no judgment involved.

Should I get a testosterone test before seeing an andrologist? Not necessary. The andrologist will order the necessary tests themselves. However, bringing a testosterone result taken between 8–10 AM can speed up the first consultation.

Can a non-andrologist urologist treat sexual problems? Yes. Many experienced urologists successfully treat sexual dysfunction. An andrologist provides additional expertise in complex or resistant cases or in specialized areas such as infertility.

Should I see an andrologist or a psychiatrist for premature ejaculation? Either can evaluate it. See andrology first to investigate any organic component, and a sex therapist or psychiatry for the psychological dimension. The ideal approach is multidisciplinary.

Does an andrologist recommend treatments other than medication? Yes: ESWT, P-Shot, SVF/stem cells, surgical options, sex therapy referrals, and lifestyle programs all fall within the andrologist’s treatment repertoire.

Should TRT (testosterone therapy) be initiated by an andrologist? A urology, endocrinology, or andrology specialist can initiate it. The andrologist typically manages TRT in the context of sexual health, taking infertility risk into account.

Important Note: This content is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a licensed urology or andrology specialist for sexual health and reproductive problems.