As a woman, you are well aware of both urologists and gynecologists, but are you familiar with urogynecologists? These specialized individuals handle cases that combine elements of both urology and gynecology. When visiting either a gynecologist or urologist for your annual physical, if an issue arises that is out of your specialist’s scope, there are times when you may be referred to a urogynecologist, instead.
Urogynecologists are also known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons.
At the Center for Female Pelvic Health at Weill Cornell Medicine, women are able to receive care for a wide array of pelvic floor disorders. In this blog, we’ll further introduce you to urogynecology and explain its significance to women struggling with pelvic floor and urogynecological conditions.
If you are dealing with prolapses pelvic organs, incontinence, pain, constipation, or other conditions that affect your ability to urinate, defecate, or enjoy sexual activity, make an appointment with your primary care physician and start the steps to obtaining a referral for urogynecology. The sooner you treat the problem, the sooner you’ll be living a happier and pain-free life.
About The Center for Female Pelvic Health
The Center for Female Pelvic Health helps to treat women with pelvic floor and urogynecological conditions through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Treatment options include both nonsurgical and surgical procedures. Women should never suffer in silence due to urogynecological issues.
The Center has established itself as a leader in the patient education and treatment of urogynecological conditions and is always available for women struggling to escape the stigma that is often synonymous with pelvic floor conditions. Reach out to the Weill Cornell Medicine team today to learn more about The Center for Female Pelvic Health.
Technically a type of reconstructive surgeon, urogynecologists deal with disorders and conditions that involve the pelvic organs and connective tissue surrounding them.
How Urogynecologists Can Help
There are many reasons your gynecologist may refer you to a urogynecologist. The most common are for birth-related injuries and other post-partum muscle or ligament damages. Just a few of the most common reasons include:
- Incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Bladder pain
- Urethral pain
- Anal incontinence
- Obstructed bowel
- Severe constipation
- Prolapsed bladder or uterus
- Sexual pain
What most urogynecologists do not treat are conditions like cancer, kidney stones, or kidney disease. This field is considered to be a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology as well as a subspecialty of urology, and someone who is designated as a urogynecologist has completed residencies in either field. An additional fellowship before certification teaches urogynecologists to evaluate and treat pelvic floor disorders. The entire process takes a minimum of 7 years to complete!
There can be an enormous benefit in having someone trained in pelvic floor disorders who has also been trained originally as an obstetrician and gynecologist evaluate conditions like pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence. The increased level of experience gives the physician a more complete view of all the conditions that a woman may suffer from, including how they relate to each other and to reproductive and sexual health as well.
Do You Need a Referral?
Because urogynecology is a specialty, it is very unlikely that you will ever have a need to simply walk in or call to make an appointment. Nearly all urogynecology visits are spurred on by a tentative diagnosis, either from your gynecologist, urologist or general practitioner.
If you are suffering from any of the above conditions and your primary care physician, urologist or gynecologist can’t seem to help, it may be a good idea to investigate a facility like the Center for Pelvic Medicine for testing and examination in an effort to aid you in developing a care plan.
Quality of Life
Women who have urogynecological problems quickly become aware that these issues are seldom life threatening, but that they can cause a great deal of stress, upheaval, and serious discomfort in their day-to-day lives. These conditions can affect everything from bathroom habits to sexual activity, and they may lead to embarrassing and painful experiences.
Most urogynecologists set a treatment goal of improving quality of life with a focus on using conservative measures to counteract symptoms in the early stages of treatment.
If you are dealing with prolapses pelvic organs, incontinence, pain, constipation, or other conditions that affect your ability to urinate, defecate, or enjoy sexual activity, make an appointment with your primary care physician and start the steps to obtaining a referral for urogynecology. The sooner you treat the problem, the sooner you’ll be living a happier and pain-free life.
Reach Out to The Center for Female Pelvic Health Today
The Center for Female Pelvic Health helps to treat women with pelvic floor and urogynecological conditions through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Treatment options include both nonsurgical and surgical procedures. Women should never suffer in silence due to urogynecological issues.
The Center has established itself as a leader in the patient education and treatment of urogynecological conditions and is always available for women struggling to escape the stigma that is often synonymous with pelvic floor conditions. Reach out to the Weill Cornell Medicine team today to learn more about The Center for Female Pelvic Health.
