How much do you know about urogynecology?
As a woman, it is important to understand this area of medicine because urogynecology focuses on your pelvic health. It includes issues such as:
- Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
- Pelvic organ prolapse (organs dropping from their normal position)
- Other bladder or bowel problems
By learning about urogynecology, you can recognize symptoms early and seek proper treatment. In turn, you can improve your quality of life.
What is Urogynecology?
Urogynecology is a specialized field of medicine. It is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders in women. This includes conditions that affect:
- muscles
- ligaments
- connective tissue
- the nerves supporting and controlling the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum
A urogynecologist is a physician who has completed training in both obstetrics and gynecology. They also have additional training in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that impact the female pelvic organs and their supportive muscles and tissues.
What Does Urogynecology Encompass?
Urogynecology encompasses a wide range of conditions and treatments aimed at improving women’s pelvic health. Among the most common conditions that urogynecologists diagnose and treat are:
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the uncontrollable loss of bladder control. It can vary from a slight loss of urine while sneezing, coughing, or laughing to the complete inability to control urination.
Stress Incontinence
This is the leakage of urine during physical activities that put pressure on the bladder. Those include exercise, lifting heavy objects, or other strenuous movements.
Urge Incontinence
This is a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage. In other words, it is the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a restroom. It is often associated with having to urinate often and feeling a strong urge to do so.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
This occurs when pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, slip out of their normal positions and press against the vaginal walls. While this is not life-threatening, it can cause pain and discomfort.
Fecal Incontinence
This is the inability to control your bowel movements, which can lead to accidental leakage of stool. This condition can be caused by diarrhea, constipation, and muscle and nerve damage.
Overactive Bladder
This is the term for frequent and sudden urges to urinate that are difficult to control.
Chronic Pelvic Pain
This refers to persistent pain in the pelvic region that can impact daily activities and quality of life.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Frequent infections of the urinary tract can be painful and disrupt your quality of life.
How are Urogynecologic Conditions Treated?
There are several treatment options available for urogynecology conditions, depending on the specific diagnosis and severity of the condition. These treatment options include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
These include:
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: The pelvic floor physical therapist will teach you exercises and techniques designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
- Medications: Prescription drugs can help manage symptoms such as overactive bladder or infections.
- Pessaries: A pessary is a device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs and manage prolapse.
Surgical Treatments
These include:
· Minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopy or robotic surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence.
- Reconstructive surgery, which includes surgical techniques to restore normal anatomy and function to the pelvic organs.
University OBGYN Advocates’ Urogynecology Department
University OBGYN Advocates offers comprehensive care and advanced treatments to empower women’s health. Here are some of the key services provided:
- Expert Consultations: We provide personalized evaluations and treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
- Advanced Diagnostic Testing: Our state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques accurately diagnose pelvic floor disorders.
- Customized Treatment Plans: We offer a combination of non-surgical and surgical options to ensure the best possible outcomes.
- Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Patients have access to experienced pelvic floor physical therapists for non-invasive treatments.
Benefits of Seeing a Urogynecologist at University OBGYN Advocates
Our board-certified urogynecologists at University OBGYN Advocates have extensive training and experience in pelvic floor disorders. We provide comprehensive care with a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, involving specialists from various fields.
Our patient-centered approach focuses on empowering women through education, support, and personalized care. What is more, our use of innovative technology provides access to the latest advancements in urogynecology treatments and procedures.
Urogynecology Services in Syracuse, New York
If you are experiencing symptoms related to pelvic floor disorders or want to learn more about how urogynecology can benefit your health, do not hesitate to reach out.
Call us today at (315) 464-5162 to schedule an appointment with one of our expert urogynecologists at University OBGYN Associates’ and take the first step towards empowering your health.
