Emory healthcare stands out because of its ability to combine the highest quality patient care in
addition to the research and innovation that the Emory University School of Medicine provides. These
two important components, innovative medical treatment and an understanding, compassionate, medical
team put Emory a step above the rest and make their Women's Health Services division the best. A
developing area in Obstretrics and Gynocology is urogynecology.
When it comes to Women's Health Services, Emory understand that this balance of expertise and
individual care are especially critical and this unique dynamic is one of the reasons why women use
Emory's services. Women want to know they will be guided and supported throughout their treatment
and procedures. Yet, they still want current technology and renowned doctors. A developing area in
Obstretrics and Gynocology is Urogynecology.
Urogynecologists who specialize in caring for a woman's specific urology and pelvic problems.
Although it may seem that this area is not needed, conditions treated by urogynecologists affect 1
out of every 4 women. This number actually exceeds the amount of women who suffer from
hyper-tension, diabetes or depression. An easy way to grapple with the term urogynocologists is to
think of this sub-specialist as an Ob/Gyn or Urologist who concentrates on caring for a woman's
urology and pelvic problems.
Urogynecologists are unique in that they have completed not only a four year residency in
Obstretrics and Gynecology, but they also have additional training in the evaluation and treatment
of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs and the muscles and connective tissues that
support the organs. This training allows them to help women with non-cancerous gynecologic problems
that often result due to childbirth, menopause or aging.Urogynecologists primarily treat women with
pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and prolapse (bulging or falling) of
the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus. Statistics show that urinary incontinence (leakage of urine)
is very common affecting 10-20% of women under age 65 and up to 56% of women over 65.
Pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and prolapse (bulging or falling) of
the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus are among the most common procedure urogynecologists treat.
Prolapse is when female organs fall down into the pelvic area; a gradual procedure that occurs over
the course of many years. This problem is often accompanied by incontinence because both conditions
are believed to result from damage to the pelvic floor that occurs after childbirth. However, while
delivering a child is often a factor, other possible factors can lead to these conditions. For
example, very heavy lifting on a daily basis (as some paramedics and factory workers might do)
chronic coughing, severe constipation and obesity may all play a role in developing prolapse or
incontinence.
There are three main avenues that can be used for treating these conditions, and these can be
classified as behavioral, pharmacological, or surgical. Before resorting to surgery, most doctors
first attempt to see if behavioral changes like diet and exercise modification can fix the
situation. Since certain acidic food and beverage choices can irritate the bladder patients are
given a strict diet to adhere to and if the diet helps, no other treatment is then pursued. Pelvic
Muscle Exercises are included in behavioral changes because they strengthen a woman's sphincter
muscles thereby reducing incontinence.
In addition, surgical treatments for these conditions may also be used. A fairly common surgical
procedure is called Interstim Therapy and this is used to treat incontinence. In this procedure, a
tined-lead is placed through the S3 foramen, and the lead is then attached to a small medical device
call an implantable pulse generator or IPG (which is also use in cardiac pacemakers) which sends
small electrical impulses to the sacral nerve. This helps to decrease the symptoms of urgency,
frequency, urinary retention and most importantly, urge incontinence. In addition, there are ongoing
studies involving injecting Botox into the bladder wall; more information on this procedure is still
needed before it is recommended.
Emory continues its role as a top medical institution because it is not simply research oriented but
understands the stress, anxiety, and confusion its patients may face when seeking treatment and
going through the steps of recovery. Women's Health Services are especially attuned to the concerns
of its patients, and responds with a staff team that is especially understanding, supportive, and
compassionate. In addition to a caring medical staff, Emory Women's Health Services still remains at
the forefront of new procedures and technology with its Center for Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery &
Urogynecology. Emory is cognizant of new research and problems that women are incurring, and
responds appropriately.
