Women's Pelvic Health

Many women will experience pelvic health issues in their life. Problems such as pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse can cause embarrassment, pain, discomfort, and will change normal activities. Just because these are common doesn't mean they should affect how you live your daily life.  Often women fail to seek care for these disorders because of lack of information, the belief that pelvic floor problems are part of normal aging, embarrassment, or even reluctance of health care providers to refer them to a specialist. At UI Health, our pelvic health team will be with you every step of the way. We will listen to your problems, answer your questions, and set up a personalized treatment program for you. We want to help you so you will have the confidence to live your best life again. It's time to live a healthier you.

Our pelvic health team will treat a wide variety of disorders including urinary, rectal, prolapse, and pain issues of the pelvic floor.

Urinary Disorders

• Incontinence (leakage of urine)
• Overactive bladder (urination too frequently, in the middle of the night, or having to rush to the bathroom)
• Problems with bladder emptying
• Neurologic disorders of the bladder
• Bladder pain issues
• Dysuria, or painful urination
• Recurring bladder or urinary tract infection
• Hematuria, or blood in urine

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

• Cystocele, fallen bladder
• Rectocele, fallen rectum, also called fallen or dropped bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum
• uterine prolapse, fallen womb or uterus

Pelvic Pain

• Painful bladder syndrome or Interstitial cystitis
• Endometriosis
• Vulvodynia/vaginal pain
• Painful intercourse
• Rectal pain

Rectal Disorders

• Fecal Incontinence, or leakage of stool
• Pain
• Constipation

Birth Injury and Trauma

• Postpartum healing issues
• Pelvic injuries
• Injuries to the vagina or rectum from childbirth
• Healing or pain issues after childbirth

Abnormalities of Vagina, Bladder or Urethra

• Congenital Malformation
• Cysts or masses in vagina, pelvic floor or urinary tract

What is a pelvic health physician?

The female pelvic medicine specialist or urogynecologist is a fellowship-trained physician who is dedicated to the treatment of these disorders. The difference between the female pelvic medicine specialist and other providers is our in-depth expertise in caring for these disorders. Unlike many general women's health providers, we can offer a full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options including medication, therapy, outpatient procedures, and the latest alternative management options. When surgery is needed, we offer the most advanced surgical options allowing patients to return to normal life as soon as possible with safe, minimally invasive procedures.

What causes these problems?

There are many reasons why one can develop pelvic floor disorders. Aging, childbirth, and family history are the most common factors. The American Urogynecology Society website providers valuable information for these questions