PLU V 2.0 Intake form Component
Text

Women's urinary health experts

We offer care for a wide range of women's urinary problems. They include incontinence and prolapse, pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, urogynecology and more.

Horizontal Rule

What we care for

Text

Pelvic prolapse

Pelvic prolapse can happen to women. When it does, muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs become weak or loose. As a result, the pelvic organs can drop and press into or out of the vagina.

Bladder prolapse is common. It affects almost one out of four U.S. women.

Fortunately, prolapse can be fixed.

Accordion Block

  • Prolapse can happen for many reasons. Most of the time, it’s caused by stress on the muscles and tissue that support an organ. Giving birth is the most common cause of this, especially women who:

    • Have been pregnant many times
    • Deliver vaginally
    • Have long or difficult childbirths 
    OR

  • The most common symptom of pelvic prolapse is a bulge in the vagina. This is something that you can see or feel. Other signs and symptoms are:

    • Seeing or feeling something coming out of the vagina
    • A feeling of pressure, discomfort, aching or fullness in the pelvis
    • Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing or coughing — this pressure may get worse as the day goes on
    • Leaking urine or problems having a bowel movement
    • Problems inserting a tampon
    • Sex that is painful
    OR
    • Keep a healthy weight
    • Eat more fiber
    • Don’t smoke. Smoking can cause coughing. This can put stress on the pelvic floor muscles. 
    OR
  • Your doctor can find pelvic prolapse with a pelvic exam and learning about your health history. Your doctor will determine how serious it is and talk with you about next steps. 
    OR
Text

Incontinence

About half of American women can’t control their urine (pee). This is caused by urinary incontinence. Fortunately, there is help.

Accordion Block

  • Urinary incontinence includes:

    • Stress incontinence: This happens when pressure is placed on the bladder. It can happen when you exercise, cough, sneeze, laugh or lift heavy objects.
    • Overactive bladder (OAB)/urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). This happens when you suddenly need to urinate and urine leaks out.
    • Overflow incontinence. This happens when the bladder gets too full. This causes leaking or “dribbling.”
    • Functional incontinence. This generally happens in older adults. They may have trouble getting to the toilet in time because other health problems make it hard to move quickly.
    • Mixed incontinence. This is more than one type of urinary incontinence.

    Urinary incontinence is not a disease. It can be caused by a wide range of health problems. A doctor can help determine what’s wrong and how to care for it. 

    OR

  • It can be caused by:

    • Age
    • Gender
    • Being overweight
    • Smoking
    • Family history
    • Long-term health problems, like diabetes
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Constipation
    • Medicines, like diuretics, antidepressants, antihistamines or others
    • Diabetes
    • Stroke
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Childbirth or menopause
    OR

  • There are several things you can to do to stop urinary incontinence:

    • Eat a healthy diet.
    • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Aim for about two quarts spread out evenly throughout the day.
    • Stay away from food or drink that you know bothers your bladder.
    • Eat more fiber every day, so you don’t become constipated.
    • Do “Kegel” and other pelvic exercises.
    • Take a bladder retraining program.

    There are many ways to care for incontinence. Don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor about what may be right for you. 

    OR
Text

Pelvic pain or interstitial cystitis

Pelvic pain or interstitial cystitis (IC) causes discomfort or pain in the bladder and pelvis. There is no clear cause of IC. But there may be triggers that can harm the bladder and lead to IC. There is no way to completely stop IC. But the right care can help you get relief from the symptoms.

Most people learn they have IC in their 30s. But many have symptoms that started during childhood or their teen years. The symptoms are often mislabeled as a urinary tract infection.

Accordion Block

  • Symptoms may include:

    • Pelvic pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder and pelvis
    • Having to pee more
    • The two symptoms above lasting more than six weeks 
    OR

  • It can be caused by:

    • Bacterial infections
    • Injury to your spine
    • Swelling or pain in the nerves in your pelvis
    • Autoimmune problems (when the body attacks itself)

    Some foods can make symptoms worse, like:

    • Chocolate
    • Citrus fruits
    • Tomatoes
    • Coffee
    OR

  • It can’t be completely stopped, but you can get help for the symptoms. Care includes:

    • Staying away from foods or triggers that make IC worse
    • Physical therapy
    • Medicines
    • Surgery

    Fortunately, there is help.  If you think you have it, talk to your doctor.

    OR