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Urogynecology at Augusta University Health

Urogynecology

Urogynecology includes diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders. These conditions involve problems with the muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support organs like the bladder, bowel, rectum, vagina and uterus.

Urogynecology

Urogynecology includes diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders. These conditions involve problems with the muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support organs like the bladder, bowel, rectum, vagina and uterus.

Our Approach

We understand that problems “down there” can be difficult to talk about, especially as a woman. Pelvic floor disorders are common, with one in three women experiencing one in her lifetime. However, nearly 60 percent of women may wait up to five years or more to talk to their doctor about it. 

Don’t wait — and don’t settle for the misbelief that you have to live with one of these inconvenient, even painful, conditions. Our experienced urogynecologists are ready to address your concerns with sensitivity and compassion.

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When it comes to your health, especially such personal matters, you need a team you can trust. Augusta University Health has the only academic urogynecology program providing this specialized care. We offer:

  • Expert care: Our team features the Augusta River Region’s only board-certified urogynecologists. They deliver specialized care for all types of pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
  • Advanced diagnostic testing: We offer convenient in-office urodynamic bladder testing, which gauges how well the bladder, urinary sphincter and urethra function to diagnose specific types of incontinence. We also offer cystoscopy, which allows your doctor to visualize the inside your urethra and bladder to diagnose urinary incontinence. These tests help us to diagnose incontinence with accuracy so we can choose the right treatments for you.
  • Advanced treatments: We offer nerve therapy to treat bowel and bladder control problems, Botox® injections to treat overactive bladder, urethral bulking to treat certain types of stress incontinence, pelvic floor rehabilitation for all pelvic floor disorders, and pessary fitting and care. We also offer treatments for complications related to vaginal mesh.
  • Treatments with Sacral Neuromodulation: Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM), also known as sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), has proven to be a useful treatment of chronic dysfunction of the urinary tract, bowel and pelvic floor. The sacral nerve controls a person’s bladder, bowel and pelvic floor and the muscles related to their function. The device is implanted surgically and stimulates the sacral nerve with mild electrical pulses. It enables the person to perceive the sensation of bladder fullness and the desire to void. It also helps a patient to spontaneously and completely empty the bladder.
  • Minimally invasive surgery: We offer robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, laparoscopic surgery and vaginal surgery to treat pelvic floor disorders. We also perform urethral sling procedures, which involve making a small incision and minimal pain.
  • Teamwork: Our urogynecologists, physician assistant and nurses work together to diagnose and treat pelvic floor disorders. They gather through weekly board meetings to review all cases.
  • Collaboration: We partner with other Augusta University Health specialists from multiple fields of medicine, including anesthesia, colorectal surgery, general surgery, robotic surgery and urology. For complicated cases that require more than one procedure, we work with other surgeons to combine multiple surgeries into one operation — which means one trip to the operating room and reduced exposure to anesthesia.
  • Clinical trials: We’re working to discover new treatments for urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse that lead to better health outcomes.

Our urogynecologists have the expertise required to get to the bottom of the symptoms you’re experiencing. They take pride in accurately diagnosing conditions so they can deliver life-changing treatments to help you feel your best.

We treat all types of pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence — also referred to as bladder problems or urinary problems — involves losing bladder control, ranging from leaking urine to involuntarily urinating. Types of urinary incontinence include:

  • Stress incontinence, or the loss of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise because of the additional pressure those activities place on the abdomen
  • Urge incontinence, or the inability to hold urine in your bladder until you can make it to a restroom
  • Urge frequency, or the need to empty your bladder more frequently than usual
  • Overactive bladder, a combination of urge frequency and urinary urge incontinence
  • Urinary retention, or difficulty emptying the bladder, despite feeling the urgent need to do so
  • Mixed incontinence, or a combination of any two or more types of urinary incontinence

Fecal incontinence and constipation

Fecal incontinence — also referred to as bowel incontinence or bowel problems — involves losing bowel control. It can range from leaking stool to involuntarily having a bowel movement.

Constipation happens when you experience difficulty having bowel movements or you have them less frequently than normal. While constipation can be a symptom of pelvic organ prolapse, we provide treatment for constipation, because it can also make pelvic organ prolapse worse. 

Pelvic organ prolapse and discomfort

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the bladder, uterus or cervix, rectum, intestines or urethra drop into or out of the vagina. It results from the muscles and tissues that support these organs, called the pelvic floor, becoming weakened or damaged. Types of pelvic organ prolapse include:

  • Cystocele, also called bladder prolapse, when the bladder drops into the vagina or through the vaginal opening
  • Enterocele, when the small intestines bulge into the vagina due to weakening of the support to the top of the vagina
  • Rectocele, when the rectum bulges into the vagina because of a weakened vaginal wall
  • Urethrocele, when the urethra drops into the vagina
  • Uterine, when the uterus drops into the vagina or through the opening of the vagina
  • Vaginal vault, when the vaginal walls drop down toward the vagina’s opening or beyond, after the uterus has been removed through hysterectomy

Urogynecologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating pelvic floor disorders. They are board-certified and fellowship-trained in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, or urogynecology. Fellowships offer the highest level of medical training.

Our specialists have not only received the highest level of training possible in urogynecology, but they also focus solely on treating pelvic floor disorders. This training and focus translates into a level of expertise that leads to better health outcomes.

Our team also includes a physician assistant (PA) who works closely with our urogynecologists to increase access to care. Physician assistants are healthcare professionals who have completed advanced training and are licensed to practice medicine under the close supervision of a doctor.

Before your first visit with Urogynecology, please download and fill out our New Patient Form. We will collect this form from you when you check in for your appointment. 

New Patient Form

 

Our Providers

Augusta University Medical Center specialists provide care and support throughout your entire healthcare journey.

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