Pelvic Floor Disorders and Urogynecologists

Emory healthcare focuses on both innovation as well as high quality patient care. At Emory, advanced technology goes hand in hand with compassionate doctor care. What puts Emory above other medical institutions is that it provides up-to-date procedures in addition to personalized care.

When it comes to Women’s Health Services, Emory understand that this balance of expertise and individual care are especially critical and this unique dynamic is one of the reasons why women use Emory’s services. Women want to know they will be guided and supported throughout their treatment and procedures. Yet, they still want current technology and renowned doctors. A developing area in Obstretrics and Gynocology is Urogynecology.

Urogynecologists who specialize in caring for a woman’s specific urology and pelvic problems. Although it may seem that this area is not needed, conditions treated by urogynecologists affect 1 out of every 4 women. This number actually exceeds the amount of women who suffer from hyper-tension, diabetes or depression. An easy way to grapple with the term urogynocologists is to think of this sub-specialist as an Ob/Gyn or Urologist who concentrates on caring for a woman’s urology and pelvic problems.

Urogynecologists have completed not only a four year residency in Obstretrics and Gynecology, but they have additional training in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs and the muscles and connective tissues that support the organs. This training allows them to help women with both surgical and non-surgical treatment of non-cancerous gynecologic problems that often result due to childbirth, menopause or aging.

Prolapse, the bulging, sagging or falling of female organs, usually happens over the course of many years and frequently occurs along with incontinence because both conditions are believed to result from damage to the pelvic floor after delivering a baby. Other possible factors in the development of prolapse and incontinence are very heavy lifting on a daily basis (as some paramedics and factory workers might do) chronic coughing, severe constipation and obesity.

Treatments for these conditions fall under three main categories: behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical. Behavioral changes like diet and exercise modification can greatly help patients. Certain foods and beverages contribute to urgency, increased frequency, and urge incontinence, and by reducing or eliminating these items, women can decrease their symptoms dramatically. Kegel, or Pelvic Muscle Exercises, can also help, as they strengthen a woman?s sphincter muscles thereby reducing incontinence. These methods can be enhanced by Biofeedback or Electric Stimulation which are two newer treatment options that urogynecologists often recommend.

If these fail, pharmacological treatment is attempted and medication is proscribed. Surgical treatments for these conditions may also be used. One of the more common surgical procedures is called Interstim Therapy and this is used specifically for treating incontinence. Small electrical impulses are sent to the sacral nerve to decrease the symptoms of urgency, frequency, urinary retention and most importantly, urge incontinence. In addition, there are ongoing studies involving injecting Botox into the bladder wall; more information on this procedure is still needed before it is recommended. Other more recent methods are Biofeedback or Electric Stimulation which help a woman to recognize how to control certain pelvic muscles.

The Emory Center for Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Urogynecology is only one example of how Emory manages to continue as a leader and teacher in its medical endeavors while at the same time managing to provide excellent personal care and support. Emory realizes that like a woman?s personality, her health needs are e not only important and unique, but that they are often complex as well.