Urogynecologists specialize in the sort of problems women tend to whisper about behind closed doors and in intimate settings. You never likely grew up dreaming, “One day I'll be reading about pelvic floor dysfunction in my leisure time.” But if you’re leaking while exercising or experiencing sex that doesn’t quite “feel” right anymore, that's not an unusual quirk related to aging. It is something a urogynecologist treats with expertise and precision, without passing judgment.
What Is a Urogynecologist—and When Should You See One?
Understanding Urogynecology Without Jargon
Consider this specialty as a middle ground between urology and gynecology. A urogynecologist is accustomed to working with pelvic floor disorders. These disorders affect muscles and ligaments that keep your bladder, uterus, and rectum in line.
These healthcare providers complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Followed by additional years studying the intricate details of pelvic floor structure. They focus on surgical reconstruction and non-invasive treatment options.
Symptoms That Aren't “Just a Part of Getting Older”
Chances are, you're living with some adverse condition that's been normalized or dismissed. You might be accommodating your schedule. You may include locating the nearest bathroom locations or skipping out on those fitness classes you used to love.
Intimacy might feel like an obligation, or you're wearing layers of panty liners as protection against the inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Pelvic organ prolapse manifests as an unobtrusive heaviness that compounds as the day progresses. Bladder incontinence isn't always an issue of a sharp urgency to urinate. Sometimes, it appears unassumingly, just enough to undermine your self-assurance.
Signs of an underlying dysfunction can include:
- Pain
- Pressure
- Surprise leakage
Waiting for it to “pass” can hold you back from receiving treatment that works to resolve the issue.
It's Not Solely about Surgery
Urogynecologists specialize in diagnosing and treating pelvic floor disorders and related conditions. These doctors oversee the whole continuum of care and can include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Fecal incontinence
- Pessary fitting
- Dietary and behavioral modification
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Surgery
Surgery isn't always the first choice. A lot of patients leave with personalized, minimally invasive treatment plans based on lifestyle changes, not surgery.
The care model isn't rinse-and-repeat. It's designed around nuance, context, and an understanding that every pelvic floor tells a unique story.
If you already have other medical conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune disease, those layers of your health profile get incorporated into treatment.
Why Do Men Not Hear About This Medical Specialty Until It’s Too Late?
An unusual quiet surrounding pelvic floor health tends to prevent individuals from reaching out for the care they need. The shame surrounding overactive bladder, urinary leakage, and pelvic pain has existed forever. But nobody talks about these problems unless it’s in private.
Some doctors in primary care don’t have the training to detect the signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. They may not know whom to refer women with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders for diagnosis.
Then you've got another problem: patients being instructed that these symptoms are typical following childbirth or menopause. They're normal, certainly—but normal doesn’t mean you have to live with them for the rest of your life.
Knowing When to Make That Appointment
You don’t have to wait for an emergency before going to the urogynecologist’s office. A little pressure, leakage during exercise, or pain during sex—these are sufficient reasons to schedule an appointment. Sometimes, you need to step in early to save yourself from the fallout of leaving it alone and doing nothing about it.
Remember, this is your only body; if it starts to fail, it’s infinitely harder to get things back to where they were. Instead, stop the damage before it has time to set in permanently.
Ask your primary care physician for a referral to an office nearby. Especially if you have a family medical history. You can also search resources like:
- Women’s health clinics
- Hospital websites
This is where you can get information on local specialists near you. Don't get discouraged if waitlists get lengthy—the specialty is in high demand.
There's No Gold Star for Suffering in Silence
It's simple to pass off symptoms, particularly if they've crept into your life over time. Perhaps you're adept at adjusting to their impact on your day-to-day, keeping yourself one step ahead of the leaking or discomfort. But here's a little bombshell of truth—There’s no honor badge for powering through pelvic dysfunction when relief is within reach.
UROHEALTH PARTNERS OMAHA
The attentive, compassionate physicians, providers, and staff at UroHealth Partners & Urogynecology are committed to providing innovative, quality patient care in our state-of-the-art facility.
From screening and prevention to treatment and recovery, our health professionals will be there for you. Our team of dedicated physicians has been serving residents of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota for more than 25 years.
