UT Physicians urogynecology specialists have broad experience in the management and care of women with lower urinary tract and pelvic floor conditions. From pelvic floor prolapse to urinary incontinence, our board-certified urogynecologists provide a full spectrum of diagnoses and treatments for various conditions affecting pelvic health.
You can expect access to a team of comprehensive, multidisciplinary urogynecology experts trained in female pelvic health and advanced, minimally invasive treatments. Our care is always accessible with convenient locations throughout the Greater Houston area.
What is urogynecology?
The study of pelvic floor disorders in women is referred to as urogynecology. It is a specialty within OB-GYN, and all urogynecologists are trained in gynecology and urology. This background gives them the unique expertise to treat women who suffer from pelvic floor disorders and issues of the bladder.
This approach often involves nonsurgical treatments, and when gynecologic surgery is required, it’s often a minimally invasive procedure. This treatment option can allow for less pain, a quicker recovery, and far less risk than more traditional abdominal surgery.
Urogynecology is also sometimes called female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a set of muscles between the tailbone and pubic bone that act as a support for the bowel, bladder, uterus, and vagina. These muscles play an important role in daily life. They help stabilize your core, protect pelvic organs during activities like coughing or lifting, and work to control your bladder and bowel. The pelvic floor is a vital part of the birthing process as it aids in contractions during vaginal delivery.
Over time, these muscles can weaken with age, just like any other muscle in the body. They can also be injured like other muscles, which can lead to organ prolapse or incontinence. This can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Leaking stool (fecal incontinence)
- This can also look like difficulty controlling gas.
- Leaking urine (urinary incontinence)
- This often happens while laughing, exercising, sneezing, or coughing.
- Frequent bathroom visits or a constant urge to urinate
- Straining or pushing when passing a bowel movement
- Chronic constipation
- Painful urination
- Low back pain
- Pain in the pelvic region
Although these kinds of pelvic floor disorders are fairly common in women, they are rarely talked about. Women are hesitant to seek help and believe their symptoms are just factors of aging. However, in most cases, their symptoms are very treatable. The pelvic floor can be strengthened and treated with therapies and medications, and in cases where surgery is needed, there are many minimally invasive options.
Common conditions treated
Urinary incontinence
- Urinary incontinence
- There are many types of urinary incontinence, but they all involve a dysfunction related to urination, whether it’s the inability to urinate or frequent urination.
- Urinary leaking
- This is sometimes called stress incontinence. It is where urine leaks due to pressure on the bladder from movements like laughing, coughing, or exercising.
- Urinary urgency and frequency
- This is another type of incontinence that occurs when you feel a strong urge to urinate that comes on very suddenly, and you have trouble making it to the restroom. This often involves urine leaking.
- Overactive bladder (OAB)
- This is a disorder that causes various symptoms, which can include the sudden urge to urinate, a frequent need to go to the restroom, and sometimes incontinence.
- Dysfunctional voiding and urinary retention
- This is when the bladder never fully empties because the muscles controlling the bladder never fully relax. This can cause a type of incontinence called overflow incontinence, which is associated with frequent or constant urine leaks.
Services and treatments offered:
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic floor injuries during childbirth
- Repair of fistulas
- Procedures
- Pessaries
- Botulinum toxin bladder injections
- Sacral and peripheral nerve stimulation
- Therapies
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Interstitial cystitis therapy
- Testing
- Multichannel urodynamic testing
- Cystoscopy
