When something feels off "down there," your first instinct probably isn’t to call a doctor. It's to whip out your phone, open up Google, and type in something like “burning sensation after peeing” or “why does it feel like I need to pee all the time?” Sound familiar?

It’s the age of information, and that’s both a blessing and a curse. Sure, we’ve got access to endless medical advice at our fingertips. But the problem? It’s hard to separate the helpful from the horrifying. One minute you're reading a harmless blog post, and five minutes later, you're convinced you’ve got a rare bladder disease or something even worse. While online searches can give you a general idea of what mightbe going on, they’re no substitute for a trained Urologist in London.

So how do you know when it’s time to put down your phone and actually see a urologist? Keep reading.

1. If It Burns, Stings, or Just Feels Weird When You Pee

A little discomfort once in a while might not seem like a big deal, right? Maybe you didn’t drink enough water that day. Maybe it's just a “one-off.” But when urination becomes painful, or you start noticing strange sensations that don’t go away after a day or two, it’s time to stop guessing.

Painful urination, also known as dysuria, can be caused by a bunch of things: urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), inflammation, or even kidney stones. Google might point you in all sorts of directions, but it won’t be able to run tests or check your urine under a microscope.

If you're dealing with this kind of discomfort, especially if it's paired with urgency, increased frequency, or cloudy or smelly urine, it’s a red flag. A urologist can figure out what’s going on, get you the right treatment, and help you avoid making it worse by waiting too long.

2. Blood in Your Urine Is Never Normal

Seeing pink, red, or rusty-colored urine can be straight-up alarming—and it should be. But here’s where a lot of people freeze. They either panic and assume the worst (thanks again, Google), or they downplay it and hope it’s a fluke. Let’s clear this up: blood in your urine is not something to ignore.

It’s called hematuria, and it could be a symptom of something as simple as a minor infection or as serious as bladder or kidney cancer. Yeah, that sounds heavy—but that’s exactly why you need a urologist involved. They can order scans, run urine cytology tests, and see if there’s a real cause for concern.

3. You're Always Running to the Bathroom (or Barely Going at All)

We all have those days when we drink too much coffee or don't hydrate enough. But if you constantly feel like you have to pee, or you're struggling to empty your bladder, there’s likely more going on than just your water intake.

Overactive bladder, urinary retention, enlarged prostate, interstitial cystitis... the list goes on. And sure, Google can list those things out for you. But what it can’tdo is tell you which oneyou're dealing with. And that’s kind of important when you're trying to treat the problem.

A urologist will ask questions you might not even think to ask yourself. Is it happening more at night? Do you leak a little when you laugh or sneeze? Are you pushing to pee or going more often with less volume? These details paint a clearer picture, one that a real doctor can work with. Because to be honest, living in the bathroom is no way to live.

The Bottom Line

We’ve all been there. Googling symptoms at 2 a.m., spiraling through WebMD until we’re convinced we’re dying. It’s normal to want answers. It’s normal to be curious or even a little scared. But there comes a point when googling stops helpingand starts hurting.That point is when your symptoms linger, worsen, or start affecting your daily life. That’s when it’s time to see a urologist.