Men’s Health
Men’s Structural and Developmental Issues
Some people are born with abnormalities in their urinary system and genitals. We offer advanced medical and surgical care for these structural and developmental urologic disorders.
Medically reviewed by Marc Dall'Era, M.D. on Aug. 23, 2023.
Specialized Care for Urological Anomalies
The UC Davis Health Urology Department treats a wide range of health conditions that affect your urinary tract and reproductive organs. Our team includes specialists and surgeons trained in all areas of urology.
We offer reconstructive and minimally invasive procedures for congenital (from birth) urologic disorders, including robotic-assisted surgery.
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Advanced Treatment Options
Our surgeons use the latest techniques and technology to perform complex and delicate urologic surgical procedures.
Dedicated Research Team
Our research experts drive new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of urologic disorders with both clinical and laboratory research.
Team-Based Care
Our urology specialists collaborate with oncologists and radiation therapists to ensure you receive the highest level of care.
What Are Urologic Structural and Developmental Issues?
Abnormalities (birth defects) in the structure of your urinary tract or reproductive organs can cause some urologic conditions. These abnormalities are congenital. They occur during fetal development in about 1 in 500 babies. Providers can diagnose them in the womb during an ultrasound or after a baby is born.
Common Congenital Urologic Anomalies:
Congenital Anomalies of Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
CAKUT refers to a category of birth defects that affect your kidneys or urinary tract. You may have one or more of these abnormalities.
Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD)
DSD is a group of conditions that includes ambiguous genitalia. Ambiguous genitalia are external sex organs that do not appear specifically male or female.
Complications of Congenital Urologic Disorders
Congenital urologic abnormalities can cause a range of complications. Some begin at birth and others develop later in life.
Common complications include:
Bladder Problems
An abnormal bladder may interfere with the flow of urine or may not empty fully.
Infertility
Some disorders of sexual development, like persistent Müllerian duct syndrome, can cause infertility in men.
Kidney Damage or Failure
A urologic abnormality can cause a blockage that prevents urine from flowing out of the kidneys. This can lead to an infection, kidney damage or failure.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI results from bacteria that grow in the urinary tract. A UTI can develop as a result of blocked or poorly flowing urine.
"Prevalence, types, and malformations in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in newborns: a retrospective hospital-based study", NIH National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6472003/
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