Urogynecology - Complications and Treatments

Urogynecology is a subspecialty of medical disciplines urology and gynecology. It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders and urinary inconsistence in women. Pelvic floor disorders happen when prolapse of the small intestine, uterus, bladder, urethra or vagina takes place, possibly due to an injury to connective tissues, muscles, and ligaments. These distortions may be caused by pregnancy, menopause, pelvic surgery, chronic disease or repeated strenuous activity. Urinary inconsistence is a state wherein the ability to control urine becomes wrecked. Doctors state that there are mainly three different types of inconsistence, which are defined below: 

• Stress Inconsistence- It causes urine leakage while coughing, sneezing or other movements which put pressure on the bladder. 
• Urge Inconsistence- It leads to urine loss as soon as the body feels the need to urinate. 
• Mixed Inconsistence- It is a combination of stress inconsistence and urge inconsistence. 

Diagnosis of Urogynecology Problems 

There are millions of American women who suffer from these disorders every year. If you have complains with regard to urinary inconsistence, then your doctor may suggest urodynamic tests to check the following: 

• The working state of the bladder. 
• The amount of urine produced by your body. 
• The volume of urine in your bladder after urination. 
• The amount of urine in your bladder when you feel the urge to urinate. 
• The resistance capacity of your bladder to hold urine when it gets filled up. 

Treatment of Urogynecology Complications 

Urinary inconsistence affects the quality of life, and it worsens with time if left untreated. Doctors use different treatment methods to cure its disorders, which include: 

• Changes in Diet- Reducing the intake of fluids for a short time can prevent sudden leakage and bladder urges. 
• Kegel Exercises- These exercises are suggested mainly for strengthening pelvic muscles which have turned weak possibly by surgery, aging, pregnancy, or overweight. 
• Medical Treatment-Sever inconsistence problems can be treated with the effects of medication. Specific medicines can help in reducing the symptoms or muscle spasm of the condition. 

If these methods do not help much, then your doctor may suggest you undergo one of the following treatments: 

• Sling Surgery- It creates a hammock-like cradle for sagging bladder by using a piece of body tissue or synthetic material. It prevents involuntary urine leakage while sneezing, coughing, and laughing, etc. 
• InterStim- It is a small surgical device which is implanted in the body to control the signals sent to the brain by the bladder to notify about the urinary action.  
• GyneCareTVT- This treatment is a cure to stress urinary inconsistence which uses a ribbon-like fabric to provide support to the urethra and prevent leakages. 

Urogynecology in San Antonio 

If you are suffering from urogynecology problems, then the experienced doctors of Institute for Women's Health are the right choice. They are experts of female pelvic medicines and reconstructive surgery.

Every woman needs an OB-GYN. Have you found Yours?

Beginning when a girl hits puberty and then journeying through physical maturity, pregnancy, and menopause, the changes a woman’s body goes through are substantial; and you need a trained professional to be there through those stages - sometimes you need a gynecologist, others you need an obstetrician. And sometimes (more frequently today), the same doctor is both - an OB-GYN.

What’s the difference between a Gynecologist and an Obstetrician?

A gynecologist focusses on a woman’s reproductive care; you go to him/her for routine checkups of your reproductive system (vagina, ovaries and uterus), infections and fertility-related issues, mammograms and pap-smears, consultations on birth control ann menopause, etc. Women ideally start seeing a gynecologist from 13-15 years or once they become sexually active.

An obstetrician’s focus is on pregnant women and the fetus itself. They take care of the pre-, during, and post-natal care of the mother and baby.

The most essential difference is that gynecologists treat diseases in reproductive organs while obstetricians do not. In most cases however, training in gynecology and obstetrics go together, resulting in a combined specialization - an OB-GYN.

What can you expect in an OB-GYN appointment?

For a first appointment, the nurse/doctor will take your basic medical history and conduct a general health check for their records. This will be followed by a physical exterior and interior examination of your reproductive system for overall health, abnormalities, and indications of any diseases, infections and cancers. Any routine appointment will include these checks, along with a pap-smear, breast check and mammogram, at the required intervals.

If you’re pregnant, your appointment will vary to include sonograms, etc. to keep track of your and your baby’s health and development.

Find your OB-GYN

For such a personal (and long-term) doctor, you don’t want to just pick a name out of a book...you want someone you know is good and reliable. Take personal and professional recommendations into account while choosing. Another point to consider when choosing is whether your OB-GYN offers both services or sticks with one speciality.

OB-GYN in San Antonio

The largest OB-GYN practice in the San Antonio area, the Institute for Women’s Health is every woman’s answer to health care. With a comprehensive list of services and a staff of fully qualified professionals, they work to keep every woman in the best health through every stage of their lives.