Urology in Medellín

Prostate specialist in Medellín

Q: Which specialist treats the prostate?

The urologist is the medical specialist in the prostate, the kidneys, the bladder and the male reproductive system. The urologist diagnoses and treats benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis and prostate cancer, and performs surgery when it is needed.

Q: Why does the prostate enlarge?

The exact cause is not known, but prostate growth is linked to age: the likelihood increases over the years, and more than 90% of men over 80 have it. It is a benign growth, different from cancer.

Q: What are the symptoms of prostate problems?

The most common are a weak urine stream, a feeling that the bladder has not emptied, dribbling at the end, a sudden urge to urinate and getting up two or more times at night to urinate. Pain in the perineum, burning when urinating or fever suggest prostatitis.

Q: What PSA level is considered high?

In general, a PSA of up to 4.0 ng/mL is considered normal. In men aged 50 or younger, the value should be below 2.5 ng/mL. A high value does not confirm cancer: it also rises with an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, a urinary tract infection or a recent ejaculation, so it is usually repeated before other tests.

Q: How can you tell if the prostate is inflamed?

Prostatitis usually causes pain in the perineum, the testicles or on ejaculation, and burning when urinating. If there is also fever or chills, it may be acute prostatitis, which requires a medical evaluation the same day. A urinalysis and a urine culture confirm whether there is an infection.

Q: Can prostatitis go away on its own?

Bacterial prostatitis requires antibiotics: in the acute form they are taken for 2 to 6 weeks, and in the chronic form treatment may extend up to 12 weeks because the infection can come back. Pelvic pain without bacteria is managed with other treatments defined by the urologist.

Q: Can an enlarged prostate be treated without surgery?

Yes, in most cases. With mild symptoms, adjusting habits is usually enough, and when symptoms are bothersome, medications that relax the prostate or reduce its size are used. Surgery is reserved for symptoms that do not improve or for complications, such as urinary retention.

Q: How much does a consultation with a prostate urologist cost in Medellín?

A private consultation with the urologist costs between COP 220,000 and COP 300,000 in Medellín (about US$55 to US$75). Depending on the path, tests are added such as the ultrasound (COP 90,000 to COP 180,000, about US$25 to US$45), the PSA (COP 25,000 to COP 60,000, about US$5 to US$15) or the prostate MRI (about COP 1,200,000, roughly US$300).

Enlarged prostate, prostatitis and high PSA, with a urologist

The prostate can cause three types of problems: benign enlargement, which makes urination difficult; prostatitis, which causes pain or burning; and cancer, which is suspected because of a high PSA or a nodule. The urologist is the specialist who tells them apart and treats them. MDE Care is not a clinic: we coordinate your consultation and the tests you need.

See which test is right for you Request an appointment

Consultation from COP 220,000 PSA, ultrasound and MRI Discreet care

Prostate specialist urologist talking with a patient in Medellín

Up to 70% savings

compared with the United States

Guide · 2 minutes

Which test or treatment is right for you?

Select your symptoms and enter your latest PSA. With your age and what the rectal exam or ultrasound showed, we will show you the path usually followed: treatment, a PSA work-up or the management of prostatitis.

1. What symptoms do you have? (you may select several)

3. Age

4. Latest total PSA value

ng/mL

5. What did the rectal exam or ultrasound show?

Your guidance

Select your symptoms

Complete the questions to see the path usually followed.

* General guidance based on MedlinePlus and the guidelines of the European Association of Urology (EAU). It is not a diagnosis. Fever with chills and pain when urinating, or being unable to urinate, require medical care the same day.

Price estimator · 30 seconds

How much do the prostate consultation and tests cost?

Choose the path and select the tests you need. We will show you the price of each part and the estimated total.

Path

Includes

Consultation with the urologistCOP 220,000 to COP 300,000

Tests

Select what you need.

Estimated total

Symptom evaluation

COP 220,000 to COP 300,000

ConsultationCOP 220,000 to COP 300,000

Uroflowmetry is performed during the same consultation.

Request an appointment

* Estimated private-pay prices in Medellín, confirmed when you book. The MRI is a market reference in Colombia, and the biopsy is performed only if the urologist recommends it.

Prostate conditions

The three prostate problems

They can cause similar symptoms, but they are investigated and treated differently.

Enlarged prostate

Benign growth that squeezes the urethra: weak stream, getting up at night and incomplete emptying. It is treated with lifestyle changes, medication and, if that is not enough, surgery.

See laser surgery

Prostatitis

Inflammation or infection of the prostate: pain in the perineum or on ejaculation, burning when urinating and, in the acute form, fever. It is treated with antibiotics when bacteria are present.

See the testing path

High PSA or suspected cancer

An elevated PSA or a nodule on the rectal exam is investigated with an MRI and, if needed, a biopsy. If localized cancer is confirmed, surgery is one option.

See radical prostatectomy

Enlarged prostate

Why does the prostate enlarge and what symptoms does it cause?

The exact cause of prostate enlargement is not known, but it is linked to age: the likelihood increases over the years, and more than 90% of men over 80 have it. Its medical name is benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it is not cancer.

As it grows, the prostate squeezes the urethra and makes it harder for urine to flow. The most common symptoms are:

Weak stream and dribbling at the end of urination.
A feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.
A sudden urge to urinate.
Needing to urinate two or more times a night.
In advanced cases, being unable to urinate.

Older man in a consultation with the urologist for enlarged prostate symptoms in Medellín

Prostate-specific antigen

High PSA: what it means

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and measured with a blood test. A high value increases the likelihood of cancer but does not confirm it: it also rises for other reasons. That is why the urologist usually repeats it, sometimes with free PSA, and adds a prostate MRI before deciding whether a biopsy is needed.

If you are looking for a preventive check, the urological check-up includes the PSA, the ultrasound and the consultation.

PSA reference values

< 2.5

ng/mL in men aged 50 or younger.

≤ 4.0

ng/mL, the value generally considered normal; a slightly higher value may be acceptable in older men.

It is also raised by an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, a urinary tract infection, a catheter or a recent ejaculation.

Source: MedlinePlus, prostate-specific antigen test.

Treatment

Enlarged prostate treatment, step by step

Most men do not need surgery. Treatment moves forward only if the previous step is not enough.

Step 1

Lifestyle changes and follow-up

Urinate as soon as you feel the urge, avoid alcohol and caffeine at night and do not drink a lot of fluid at once.

Step 2

Medication

Alpha blockers relax the prostate and the bladder neck; finasteride and dutasteride reduce its size over time. Natural products such as saw palmetto have inconsistent results.

Step 3

Surgery

If symptoms do not improve or there is retention, infections or stones, laser surgery or TURP removes the tissue causing the obstruction.

See laser prostate surgery

Diagnosis

Tests the prostate urologist may order

Urinary tract ultrasound

Measures the volume of the prostate and the urine left after urinating.

Uroflowmetry

Measures the strength of the stream, without catheters. It shows how much the prostate obstructs.

PSA and urological check-up

Prostate check with an option without a rectal exam.

Prostate MRI

With a high PSA, it indicates whether a biopsy is needed and where to take it.

How we work

What MDE Care does for you

We are neither a clinic nor a directory. We support you from your first question to the results consultation.

Initial guidance

We review your medical order or the reason for your visit before booking.

The right specialist

We connect you with the urologist who performs the test you need.

Clear prices

You know the price and what it includes before booking.

Appointments and tests

We coordinate the schedule, the preparation and the timing of each step.

Logistics support

Lodging and transportation if you are coming from another city or country.

Follow-up

We coordinate the results consultation and follow-up visits.

Frequently asked questions

About the prostate and the urologist in Medellín

Which specialist treats the prostate?

The urologist is the medical specialist in the prostate, the kidneys, the bladder and the male reproductive system. The urologist diagnoses and treats benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis and prostate cancer, and performs surgery when it is needed.

Why does the prostate enlarge?

The exact cause is not known, but prostate growth is linked to age: the likelihood increases over the years, and more than 90% of men over 80 have it. It is a benign growth, different from cancer.

What are the symptoms of prostate problems?

The most common are a weak urine stream, a feeling that the bladder has not emptied, dribbling at the end, a sudden urge to urinate and getting up two or more times at night to urinate. Pain in the perineum, burning when urinating or fever suggest prostatitis.

What PSA level is considered high?

In general, a PSA of up to 4.0 ng/mL is considered normal. In men aged 50 or younger, the value should be below 2.5 ng/mL. A high value does not confirm cancer: it also rises with an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, a urinary tract infection or a recent ejaculation, so it is usually repeated before other tests.

How can you tell if the prostate is inflamed?

Prostatitis usually causes pain in the perineum, the testicles or on ejaculation, and burning when urinating. If there is also fever or chills, it may be acute prostatitis, which requires a medical evaluation the same day. A urinalysis and a urine culture confirm whether there is an infection.

Can prostatitis go away on its own?

Bacterial prostatitis requires antibiotics: in the acute form they are taken for 2 to 6 weeks, and in the chronic form treatment may extend up to 12 weeks because the infection can come back. Pelvic pain without bacteria is managed with other treatments defined by the urologist.

Can an enlarged prostate be treated without surgery?

Yes, in most cases. With mild symptoms, adjusting habits is usually enough, and when symptoms are bothersome, medications that relax the prostate or reduce its size are used. Surgery is reserved for symptoms that do not improve or for complications, such as urinary retention.

How much does a consultation with a prostate urologist cost in Medellín?

A private consultation with the urologist costs between COP 220,000 and COP 300,000 in Medellín (about US$55 to US$75). Depending on the path, tests are added such as the ultrasound (COP 90,000 to COP 180,000, about US$25 to US$45), the PSA (COP 25,000 to COP 60,000, about US$5 to US$15) or the prostate MRI (about COP 1,200,000, roughly US$300).