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Urogynecology is a specialty field of medicine dedicated to
the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the lower urinary
tract and pelvic floor. Physicians who practice this specialty
are obstetrician/gynecologists who have completed further
medical training through a fellowship in urogynecology, where
they are taught to treat conditions including:
- Urinary incontinence, such as
- Stress incontinence, when urine leakage is experienced
while coughing, sneezing, laughing or performing strenuous
activity. Stress incontinence often occurs in younger
women and can result from childbirth and some surgeries
that weaken the pelvic floor.
- Urge incontinence, when a woman feels as if she can’t
reach the bathroom fast enough. Urge incontinence can
be caused by infection in the bladder or urethra, or
by major conditions like stroke and diseases of the
nervous system.
- Mixed incontinence, when a woman experiences both
stress and urge incontinence.
- Frequency and urgency of urination
- Interstitial cystitis, a chronic, painful
inflammatory condition of the bladder wall
- Overactive bladder
- Recurrent urinary tract infection
- Pelvic organ prolapse, where muscle and
tissues holding pelvic organs in place are stretched or weakened
during childbirth, causing organs to move from their natural
positions. Prolapse can affect the bladder, rectum, small
bowel, uterus and vagina (after hysterectomy).
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Fecal incontinence or uncontrolled leakage
of liquid or solid stools.
- Sexual dysfunction
These problems can affect virtually any woman at any stage
of her adult life.
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