The Continence Program
Don't suffer in silence... You are not alone.
Millions of American women suffer from urinary incontinence or pelvic
support disorders involving the vagina, uterus, bladder, or rectum. These
women often do not report their uncomfortable and emotionally disturbing
conditions of their physicians, believing such problems are a natural
and irreversible result of child-bearing or aging. The fact is many women
who experience urinary incontinence or pelvic support disorders can be
treated successfully with non-surgical or surgical therapies. We can
help!
What is a urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist is an obstetrician / gynecologist who specializes
in helping women with pelvic organ problems. A urogynecologist focuses
on the pelvic organ muscles, ligaments, and nerves that affect the bladder,
uterus, rectum, and vagina that support and control the organs. This area
is referred to as "the pelvic organ floor".
Symptoms
Urinary incontinence and pelvic relaxation problems may have different
symptoms. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, our center
may be the answer to your problems.
- Leaking urine when you cough or sneeze?
- Leaking urine at any time?
- Feeling like you do not empty your bladder when you urinate?
- Leaking urine when you have a strong urge to urinate?
- Frequent or constant dribbling or urine?
- Overactive bladder - urinating all the time?
- Constant pressure in your vagina?
- Feeling like you are sitting on a ball?
- Frequent urinary tract infections?
- Fecal (stool) incontinence?
- Rectal fullness?
- Feeling that "things have dropped" in your pelvic area?
- A bearing down sensation?
- Pelvic pressure?
- Groin and lower back pain?
- A protrusion from your vagina?
Services from the Women's Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Relaxation program can help you.
Evaluation
After a comprehensive evaluation that includes a detailed patient
history, physical examination, and specific tests, our program's team
will be able to provide you with a diagnosis and treatment options for
your bladder or pelvic problems. The program offers an assortment of non-surgical
and surgical treatment options. Our role is to educate you about your
choices and support you in your decisions.
Treatment
The following treatment options are available:
- Behavior Modification - This non-surgical approach includes exercises to control urinary frequency, stress, urgency, and urge incontinence. Specific treatments include: lifestyle modification, bladder retraining, pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation.
- Medication: Many medications are available to help control urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence.
- Specialized Devices and Treatments: Vaginal pessaries are worn in the vagina to alleviate symptoms related to pelvic support disorders. Outpatient periurethral collagen injections may be used to treat stress urinary incontinence.
- Surgery: If non-surgical treatment does not yield satisfactory results, you may wish to considr the following surgical options: reconstructive pelvic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive outpatient surgery.
