Dr. Lei Chu, MD

Dr. Lei Chu, Urologist and Robotic Surgery Specialist

Dr. Lei Chu is a board-certified urologist providing medical and surgical care for conditions affecting the urinary system. She treats women and men experiencing bladder problems, urinary leakage, recurrent infections, kidney stones, pelvic organ prolapse, and other urological concerns.

Her clinical interests include female urology, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic reconstruction, and minimally invasive robotic surgery. Dr. Chu works with patients to identify the cause of their symptoms and compare appropriate lifestyle, medication, office-based, and surgical treatments.

Patients with urinary or pelvic health concerns may also need coordinated care with an obstetrician and gynecologist or another specialist based on the diagnosis.

Doctor Information

Name: Dr. Lei Chu, MD
Specialty: Urology and Urological Surgery
Board Certification: Urology
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Medical Degree Completed: 2006
Undergraduate Education: Rice University
Clinical Focus: Female urology, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and robotic surgery
Practice: West Houston Urology
Primary Locations: Houston and Katy, Texas
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, and Chinese
NPI Number: 1831354851
Accepting New Patients: Current availability should be confirmed directly with the practice

About Dr. Lei Chu

Dr. Chu completed her undergraduate education at Rice University, where she studied biochemistry. She then earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine.

Her specialist training prepared her to diagnose and treat conditions involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and related pelvic structures. She has particular experience caring for women with urinary leakage, bladder urgency, and pelvic organ prolapse.

Dr. Chu also performs minimally invasive procedures, including robotic urological surgery. This technology can help surgeons complete selected procedures through smaller incisions while maintaining a detailed view of the treatment area.

The best treatment depends on the patient’s diagnosis, symptom severity, general health, previous procedures, and personal goals. Surgery is not required for every urological condition.

Urological Conditions Treated

Dr. Chu may evaluate and manage conditions such as:

• Urinary incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones
• Blood in the urine
• Painful urination
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Urinary retention
• Frequent urination
• Bladder pain
• Neurogenic bladder
• Urethral conditions
• Kidney and bladder abnormalities
• Selected prostate conditions
• Pelvic floor disorders

Symptoms involving the urinary system can have several possible causes. A detailed medical history, physical examination, urine testing, imaging, or bladder-function testing may be needed before treatment begins.

Urinary Incontinence Care

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leakage of urine. It can affect daily activity, exercise, sleep, work, and confidence.

Different forms of urinary leakage include:

• Stress incontinence: Leakage during coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, or exercise
• Urge incontinence: Leakage associated with a sudden and difficult-to-control need to urinate
• Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urgency symptoms
• Overflow incontinence: Leakage caused by incomplete bladder emptying
• Functional incontinence: Difficulty reaching or using the toilet because of another physical or cognitive condition

Dr. Chu may ask when leakage occurs, how often it happens, how much urine is lost, and whether the patient experiences urgency, pain, or difficulty emptying the bladder.

Treatment may involve pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, medication, an office procedure, or surgery.

Overactive Bladder Treatment

Overactive bladder commonly causes a sudden urge to urinate, frequent bathroom visits, nighttime urination, or leakage before reaching a toilet.

An evaluation may include:

• Review of fluid intake
• Bladder diary
• Urine testing
• Medication review
• Pelvic examination
• Measurement of remaining urine after urination
• Bladder-function testing when appropriate

Initial treatment may include changes to fluid habits, bladder training, pelvic floor therapy, and medication.

Patients whose symptoms continue may be considered for additional treatments, such as bladder injections, nerve-stimulation therapy, or another procedure suited to their diagnosis.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when weakened muscles and supporting tissues allow the bladder, uterus, rectum, or another pelvic structure to move downward.

Possible symptoms include:

• A feeling of pressure or heaviness
• A vaginal bulge
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Urinary leakage
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty with bowel movements
• Pelvic discomfort
• Symptoms that worsen during standing or lifting

Treatment depends on which organ is affected and how much the condition interferes with daily life.

Options may include:

• Pelvic floor therapy
• Activity adjustments
• A vaginal support device
• Monitoring
• Reconstructive surgery

Patients with prolapse may receive coordinated care from both urology and gynecology specialists. Those comparing women’s health physicians can review Dr. Shannon L. Hardy’s profile.

Female Urology

Female urology focuses on urinary and pelvic floor conditions that commonly affect women.

Dr. Chu’s clinical services may address:

• Stress urinary incontinence
• Urgency and frequency
• Recurrent urinary infections
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Bladder-emptying problems
• Urinary symptoms after childbirth
• Urinary changes after menopause
• Complications following pelvic surgery
• Pelvic floor weakness

Some symptoms may be connected to pregnancy history, childbirth, menopause, medication, pelvic surgery, or another medical condition.

Treatment is selected after identifying the type and cause of the urinary problem.

Urinary Tract Infection Care

A urinary tract infection can affect the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys. Common symptoms include burning during urination, urgency, frequent urination, pelvic pressure, or unusual urine changes.

Dr. Chu may evaluate patients with:

• Repeated bladder infections
• Infections that do not improve as expected
• Blood in the urine
• Fever associated with urinary symptoms
• Possible kidney infection
• Urinary symptoms without clear infection
• Infections associated with kidney stones
• Structural urinary abnormalities

Evaluation may involve urine testing, urine culture, imaging, cystoscopy, or assessment of bladder emptying.

Repeated symptoms do not always mean that an active infection is present. Bladder irritation, stones, pelvic floor problems, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Kidney Stone Care

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form within the urinary system. Small stones may pass naturally, while larger stones can block urine flow or cause severe discomfort.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the side or back
• Pain moving toward the lower abdomen or groin
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Painful urination
• Frequent urination
• Fever when infection is present

An evaluation may include urine testing, blood tests, ultrasound, or CT imaging.

Treatment depends on the stone’s size, location, composition, symptoms, and whether it is blocking urine flow. Options may include medication, observation, shock-wave treatment, ureteroscopy, or another procedure.

Blood in the Urine

Blood in the urine may be visible or detected only during laboratory testing. It can result from infection, stones, inflammation, urinary tract injury, kidney disease, or another condition.

A urological evaluation may include:

• Medical history
• Urine testing
• Kidney-function testing
• Ultrasound or CT imaging
• Cystoscopy
• Review of medication
• Assessment of tobacco exposure and other risk factors

Even when blood appears only once, proper assessment may be needed to identify or exclude a significant urinary condition.

Bladder-Emptying Problems

Some patients have difficulty beginning urination, maintaining urine flow, or emptying the bladder completely.

Possible causes include:

• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Nerve conditions
• Medication effects
• Scar tissue
• Urethral narrowing
• Previous pelvic surgery
• Bladder muscle weakness
• Prostate enlargement in men

Testing may measure the amount of urine remaining after urination. More detailed bladder-function studies may be recommended when the cause remains unclear.

Treatment focuses on the underlying problem and may include medication, pelvic therapy, catheter management, or surgery.

Urodynamic Testing

Urodynamic testing assesses how the bladder stores and releases urine. It may be recommended when symptoms are complex, treatment has not worked, or surgery is being considered.

Testing may evaluate:

• Bladder capacity
• Bladder pressure
• Urine flow
• Leakage during coughing or movement
• Urgency
• Bladder muscle activity
• Ability to empty the bladder

The results help Dr. Chu determine which type of bladder problem is present and which treatment may be most suitable.

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy allows a urologist to examine the inside of the urethra and bladder using a thin instrument containing a camera.

It may be used to investigate:

• Blood in the urine
• Recurrent urinary infections
• Bladder pain
• Urinary obstruction
• Abnormal imaging findings
• Suspected stones
• Urethral narrowing
• Other bladder abnormalities

Some cystoscopy procedures are completed in the office using local numbing medicine. More involved treatment may require a surgical facility and anaesthesia.

Robotic Urological Surgery

Dr. Chu has experience with robot-assisted urological procedures. Robotic surgery uses small instruments controlled by the surgeon through a specialised surgical system.

Potential benefits for suitable procedures may include:

• Smaller incisions
• Detailed surgical viewing
• Precise instrument movement
• Reduced tissue disruption
• Shorter hospital recovery
• Less visible scarring

These benefits vary according to the procedure and patient. Robotic surgery may not be suitable when a condition is advanced, the anatomy is complex, or previous operations have caused significant scar tissue.

The surgeon remains in control of every movement throughout the procedure.

Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Pelvic reconstructive surgery may be considered when prolapse, urinary leakage, or another structural problem significantly affects everyday life and non-surgical care has not provided enough improvement.

Procedures may aim to:

• Restore pelvic support
• Repair prolapsed structures
• Improve stress urinary leakage
• Correct selected bladder or urethral abnormalities
• Treat complications from earlier pelvic surgery

Before surgery, Dr. Chu may review the diagnosis, treatment alternatives, expected improvement, recovery requirements, and potential risks.

Patients should discuss future pregnancy plans, earlier pelvic procedures, and all current urinary and bowel symptoms before selecting treatment.

Non-Surgical Urology Care

Many urinary conditions can initially be treated without surgery.

Options may include:

• Bladder training
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Physical therapy
• Changes to fluid and caffeine intake
• Medication
• Treatment of constipation
• Weight-management support
• Vaginal support devices
• Monitoring
• Office-based procedures

The treatment plan may be adjusted according to symptom improvement, side effects, and the patient’s daily needs.

Preparing for a Urology Appointment

Patients can prepare by bringing:

• A current medication list
• Previous urine-test results
• Kidney or bladder imaging
• Records of earlier pelvic surgery
• A list of urinary symptoms
• Details about pregnancy and childbirth
• A bladder diary when requested
• Information about fluid intake
• A list of medication allergies
• Questions about testing or treatment

It may be helpful to record:

• How often urination occurs
• How many times the patient wakes at night
• When leakage happens
• Whether urgency is present
• How much fluid is consumed
• Whether pain or blood appears
• Which treatments have already been tried

Clear information can help the physician understand the symptom pattern and choose useful tests.

Patient-Focused Urological Care

Dr. Chu provides urological treatment with a strong focus on bladder health, female urology, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and minimally invasive surgery.

Her care may include diagnostic testing, lifestyle guidance, medication, pelvic floor treatment, office procedures, or reconstructive and robotic surgery. Recommendations are based on the diagnosis, symptom severity, medical history, and patient preferences.

Patients should confirm current appointment availability, accepted insurance plans, hospital participation, and referral requirements directly with the practice.