Published at 01 September, 2026 09:15.
Urology Awareness Month is an annual campaign running in September to raise awareness of urology conditions and diseases. 1 in 2 people will experience some form of urology condition in their lives, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and incontinence, or cancers such as kidney, prostate, testicular, penile and bladder cancer. Many are treatable, even some cancers if caught early, which is why good urology health is important and raising awareness is key. You can find more information, help and support here Urology Awareness Month - The Urology Foundation
Good habits to adopt include drinking more water, not holding onto your urine when you need to urinate, limiting caffeine and spicy foods if you find these inflame symptoms and eating a good balanced diet with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Smoking can be a risk factor for urological conditions as chemicals and toxins from cigarette smoke effect the kidneys, bladder and prostate. These harmful chemicals collect in the urine affecting the lining of the bladder and is the biggest risk of bladder cancer in the UK. Tobacco smoke also increases the risk of developing kidney stones, urinary incontinence and other problems such as erectile dysfunction. 1 in 10 men will experience erectile dysfunction at some stage in their lives. Hormonal problems can occur due to smoking as nicotine and other toxic substances interfere with hormone regulation that is responsible for testosterone production. This imbalance can lead to reduced fertility in men, as testosterone is required in the production and quality of sperm.
Urinary tract infections can be exacerbated as harmful chemicals from smoking can irritate and inflame the bladder wall and the healing process may also be slowed. About one in five women will experience recurrent UTI`s, with 50-60% of females in the UK experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime. Male UTI`s are usually associated with an obstruction in the urinary system, usually the prostate.
Your urine has the "power" to indicate when something is not quite right and to see your GP such as the colour and smell may be darker or more concentrated and smell strong, or if you notice any blood in your urine. Some other symptoms to look out for are needing to urinate more often or with urgency, unable to control your bladder and urine leakage, a burning sensation or irritation when urinating, and pain in the lower back or sides.
If you are experiencing any urology conditions stopping smoking can help. Quitting smoking can improve immune function, reduce bladder irritation, and facilitate improved recovery from infections. See your GP if you have any concerns or something doesn’t seem quite right, or if you have symptoms that are persisting. Getting symptoms checked early is important to taking care of your urology health.
Written by Carrie Whitworth at Yorkshire Smoke Free NHS Stop Smoking Service - Yorkshire Smokefree
