Signs of Pelvic Floor Problems
Do you have trouble with an overactive bladder (maybe you go to the bathroom every hour)? Do you lose control of your bladder, peeing when you don’t want to? Do you feel pressure in your pelvis or feel like your vagina, bladder, uterus, or rectum has dropped, causing a bulge or pressure?
Many people with pelvic floor symptoms feel overwhelmed or nervous about getting care. It’s important to know you’re not alone. that pelvic floor disorders affect about 1 in 3 women in the United States. You can decrease or even eliminate these symptoms with treatment. A urogynecologist treats these symptoms and conditions and can help you increase your quality of life.
Pelvic Floor Symptoms
Pelvic floor disorders can cause a range of symptoms:
- Tissue that bulges out of your vagina
- Leaking urine, especially when you laugh, cough, or exercise
- Frequent or urgent need to pee
- Difficulty peeing or emptying your bladder completely
- Pressure or heaviness outside your vagina
- Difficulty emptying your bowels
What Is a Urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist is a physician who specializes in female pelvic floor disorders. Urogynecologists have 4–5 years of training in obstetrics and gynecology or urology. Then they complete 2–3 years of fellowship training in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery. Urogynecologists have training in a full range of surgeries to treat pelvic floor disorders.
Urogynecologist vs. Gynecologist
A gynecologist treats many concerns around your reproductive and pelvic health, such as painful, heavy periods. They provide comprehensive women’s medical examinations. They usually refer you to a urogynecologist if you have more complex pelvic floor symptoms:
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Pelvic organ prolapse (a vaginal bulge)
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Problems with bladder or bowel emptying
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Stool leakage
Learn How Our Urogynecologists Can Help You
When Should You See a Urogynecologist?
You should see a urogynecologist whenever you have pelvic floor symptoms that disrupt your life. A urogynecologist offers education and treatments to improve your quality of life and well-being.
Find a Urogynecologist
What to Expect at a Urogynecology Appointment
You will complete a symptom and health history questionnaire before your urogynecology appointment. Your urogynecologist reviews the questionnaire in advance.
During the appointment, the following events will occur:
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You review your symptoms and medical history with your urogynecologist.
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Your urogynecologist performs a pelvic exam and possibly a rectal exam, depending on your symptoms.
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Your urogynecologist may evaluate how your bladder is working. This may include measuring urine amounts before and after you go to the bathroom. This is typically done using an ultrasound.
Urogynecology Treatments
Education & Resources
Your urogynecologist is highly trained in all treatment options for pelvic floor disorders. Many women are scared about what is happening to their bodies. Urogynecologists can help you understand your anatomy and symptoms, along with what you can do about it. Some women don’t need any additional treatments.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Your urogynecologist may recommend several nonsurgical treatments:
- Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Medications to improve bladder or bowel control
- Pessary, a special vaginal insert that treats urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse
- Vaginal inserts to treat fecal incontinence
- Botox injections to treat urinary urgency or frequency
Surgical Treatments
Urogynecologists also offer a range of procedures to treat pelvic floor disorders:
- Prolapse repair surgery—Your urogynecologist restores your pelvic organs to their usual position. They may use stitches, mesh, or your own tissue to repair the prolapse. When appropriate, they may remove your uterus (hysterectomy) during prolapse surgery.
- Surgery for urinary leakage (incontinence)—Your urogynecologist places a sling or mesh. The sling or mesh supports your bladder or urethra (tube where urine exits your body) to treat incontinence.
- Sacral neuromodulation—Our urogynecologists offer this treatment for overactive bladder. They place a small device under the skin on your buttocks. The device is connected to a wire that stimulates the sacral nerves, which control your bowels and bladder.
Your urogynecologist uses a minimally invasive surgical approach in most cases. They may perform the entire surgery vaginally or through your abdomen using small incisions (laparoscopically). They use a lighted tube with a camera (laparoscope) to operate in the abdomen and perform prolapse repairs.
Why Choose ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ?
Our urogynecologists have a wide breadth of experience, expertise, and training. We are the largest urogynecology group in the Mountain West and we use research-based, effective treatments. We care for you with compassion and sensitivity to improve your quality of life.
We collaborate closely with colorectal surgery and urology specialists to perform complex surgeries. Our urogynecologists also treat patients in the Utah Peripartum Pelvic Floor Wellness and Recovery after Delivery (UPWARD) Program. This clinic specializes in advanced, effective care for people with pelvic floor problems before and after ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵbirth.
Schedule an Appointment With a Urogynecologist
Call 801-213-2995 to make an appointment with a urogynecologist. We recommend contacting your insurance company to understand your coverage. Many patients can contact us directly with a self-referral. However, some insurance companies require a physician referral to see a urogynecologist.
Resources for Our Patients
When Should You See a Urogynecologist?
Do you have trouble with an overactive bladder, feel pressure in your pelvis, or feel like your vagina, bladder, uterus, or rectum has dropped, causing a bulge or pressure? You do not have to suffer through these symptoms. They are treatable.
5 for Life Screenings
A big part of staying healthy is detecting diseases early. We make it easy for you to get lifesaving tests for heart disease, breast cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer in one convenient visit.
Postpartum and Pelvic Floor Complications
As a mother-to-be or a new mom, there’s a lot you are juggling – life with a new baby, lack of sleep, breastfeeding, and adapting to other changes to your body. Our new clinic for postpartum (after ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵbirth) pelvic floor problems at ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ is specifically designed to address pelvic floor issues that may occur before or after ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵbirth.
Learn More About Pelvic Floor Disorders from a Urogynecologist
Hear From Our Specialists
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