Questions about Pelvic Floor Issues? We Have Answers!
We asked Rochester Regional Health's board-certified urogynecologists to answer frequently asked questions about urogynecology, incontinence and urine leaking, pelvic organ prolapse, other pelvic floor disorders and treatment options for women in Rochester, NY. Read below and contact our team if there are any questions that we can help answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A urogynecologist is a surgeon who specializes in the care of women with pelvic floor disorders. The pelvic floor is the set of muscles, tissues and ligaments in the pelvis that support a woman’s internal organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum.
It’s unlikely that a pelvic floor disorder will go away on its own. In some cases, your urogynecologist may suggest observing the situation over time, provided that the symptoms aren’t severe.
If left untreated, some incontinence and pelvic floor disorders can get worse so it is important to talk with your doctor and explore treatment options early.
It’s unlikely that a pelvic floor disorder will go away on its own. In some cases, your urogynecologist may suggest observing the situation over time, provided that the symptoms aren’t severe.
If left untreated, some incontinence and pelvic floor disorders can get worse so it is important to talk with your doctor and explore treatment options early.
Pelvic floor surgeries are often reconstructive surgeries, so you should take time to heal without placing additional stress on your body as you recover.
Many women return to their daily lives soon after surgery, keeping away from activities that stress their pelvic floor like squatting, bending or lifting. This period of limited activity may last up to three months, depending on the surgery.
Yes, urogynecologists are trained in gynecology and obstetrics and are able to conduct your annual well-woman examination.
Stress urinary incontinence is loss of urine that occurs at the same time as physical activities that add pressure to the abdomen, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or exercising. Approximately 1 out of every 3 women over the age of 45 and 1 out of every 2 over 65 have stress urinary incontinence.
While stress urinary incontinence is common, it does not need to be a normal part of aging and treatment can help.
As the baby and uterus grow during pregnancy, there is extra pressure and stress placed on the bladder – making it easier for any exertion, like laughing or sneezing, to push urine out of the bladder. Most women who have incontinence during pregnancy return to full continence after delivery as the birth canal heals.
During labor, the pressures generated by pushing and the delivery can damage the pelvic tissues and nerves that lie on each side of the birth canal. Over time and with age, the normal supporting tissues of the bladder, uterus and rectum weaken, adding to the effect of childbirth injuries. That said, the vast majority of women who give birth do not have any residual effects of incontinence within a few months after birth.
Sling procedures are performed through a vaginal incision and use a strip of your own tissue (called the fascia) to cradle the neck of the bladder. Synthetic mesh materials and donor tissues are also options.
To decide if a sling procedure is right for you, talk with your doctor about all of your options and decide which treatment is best for your specific goals and situation.
A physical exam by a urogynecologist is the first step in determining the cause of your symptoms. If needed, your doctor may recommend urodynamic testing – a specialized test that looks at the ability of your bladder to hold urine at different capacities by using a catheter (tube placed into the bladder).