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.

At Emory’s Women’s Center, this two pronged philosophy is especially important. A developing area in Obstretrics and Gynocology is urogynecology. While a urologist specializes in the treatment of the urinary system, and a gynecologist focuses on the female reproductive system, a urogynecologist is the first sub specialist to combine the two fields. Simply put, a urogynecologist is an Ob/Gyn or Urologist who specializes in caring for women’s urology and pelvic problems.

Urogynecologists specialize in caring for a woman’s specific urology and pelvic problems. This niche area is needed; a woman’s internal make-up is unique and complex. Urogynecologists are sub-specialists that can be thought of as an Ob/Gyn or Urologist who concentrates on caring for a woman’s urology and pelvic problems.

Urogynecologists are knowledgeable in Obstretrics and Gynecology, and 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 both surgical and non-surgical treatment of non-cancerous gynecologic problems that often result due to childbirth, menopause or aging. 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.

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.

Treatment usually involves behavioral, pharmacological, or surgical methods. Behavioral and pharmacological methods are usually attempted before surgery is tried. Behavioral changes include diet and exercise modification. Highly acidic foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits and vinegar can irritate the bladder and so patients with inconsistence are advised to avoid these and other similar foods. If a non-acidic 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.

If these fail, pharmacological treatment is attempted and medication is proscribed. Surgical treatments for these conditions may also be used. One of the more common surgical procedures is called Interstim Therapy and this is used specifically for treating incontinence. In this procedure, a tined-lead is placed through the S3 foramen, sending small electrical impulses to the sacral nerve. 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. Other more recent methods are Biofeedback or Electric Stimulation which help a woman to recognize how to control certain pelvic muscles.

As mentioned above, Emory is a leader in medicine because it is not simply research oriented but listens to patient needs and responds with a caring team of doctors, and nurses. Women’s Health Services at Emory now includes The Emory Center for Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Urogynecology. This newer facility exemplifies yet again how Emory manages to continue as a leader in its medical endeavors; Emory is dedicated to its patients and is not afraid to embark on new challenges, tasks, and complex conditions.