Medical advancements and research are always constantly advancing. Ever since the discovery of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), doctors and scientists have worked tirelessly in search of cures. What many don’t know is that doctors who treat STDs usually don’t only study such diseases. Instead, they are usually trained in a field of medicine that is larger in scope but may choose to specialise in the study of certain symptoms, conditions or diseases. In fact, most doctors at STD clinics do not study STDs thoroughly in school, but rather have a lot of practical knowledge from the large base of patients that they see. The next time you want to visit an STD clinic, you will definitely see a doctor who is trained in one of the following medical disciplines: urology or dermatology.

Urology

Urology is the branch of medicine that studies the urinary tract and the reproductive organs. Urology specialists must study both the male and female anatomy and so become very familiar with the effects of diseases on the genitals and within the urinary tract, regardless of the patient’s gender. Doctors with urology training are very familiar with STDs that affect the genitals, which are quite common. For example, the most common STD is a bacterial infection called chlamydia. It infects the urinary tract and causes pain when urination. Doctors with training in urology are well-equipped to examine symptoms near the genitals and diagnose the disease accordingly. Not all pain when urinating may stem from an STD though and someone with specialised knowledge in urology will be able to consider all potential causes for the condition. It is definitely worthwhile to seek a doctor with a urology specialisation if you have pain in the affected areas.

Dermatology

While urologists study the urinary tract and its related diseases, dermatologists are more concerned with the skin, hair and nails. Seeing a dermatology specialist is recommended if you are facing a skin concern, such as genital warts. Dermatologists will be able to offer opinions on the type of wart you have and the best methods to treat such warts. Do note that not all warts that grow near the genitals are genital warts – some of them can be caused by normal strands of HPV. Having a doctor trained in dermatology examine your skin may be the way to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Most wart removal clinics in Singapore have doctors who specialise in dermatology and they will be able to recommend the best treatment for a patient’s wart – which could include topical medication or surgical operations for larger warts.

Conclusion

A doctor at most STD clinics is certain to have studied a field of medicine related to these diseases. With their expertise and knowledge, they are better able to assess, diagnose and treat patients more accurately.