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Urogynecology focuses on diagnosing and treating issues such as overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and genital deformities or functional loss in women. It is a field that combines gynecology and urology.
Urinary incontinence, in particular, is common among women. It is seen in one out of every two women post-menopause. Factors such as aging, difficult deliveries, and chronic systemic diseases can lead to pelvic organ prolapse and deformities. These conditions can negatively impact quality of life and sexual function.
Women dealing with urinary incontinence, organ prolapse, or genital deformities may experience feelings of embarrassment and, in some cases, may struggle to express their complaints. Additionally, they may not know which specialist to consult. Such situations can delay treatment and lead to the progression of the condition.
Today, highly effective treatment methods are available for urogynecological conditions.
Innovative treatments can significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from urogynecological conditions. Some cases may require surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
In the field of urogynecology, diagnosis and treatment sometimes require collaboration with other specialties, including physical therapy and rehabilitation, neurology, urology, psychiatry, and radiology.
What Are Pelvic Floor Disorders?
The pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments, and nerves that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum.
When pelvic support is compromised, it can lead to bladder or bowel control issues, urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine.
It is a condition that can affect women of all ages, particularly after menopause, where it is seen in one out of every two women.
Involuntary urine leakage should always be investigated. The type of incontinence is determined through diagnostic procedures, followed by appropriate medical or surgical treatment.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
1. Stress Incontinence: This occurs during physical activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising, or sexual intercourse.
2. Urge Incontinence: This is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, regardless of whether the bladder is full or empty, often triggered by sounds like running water, cold drinks, or exposure to cold. It can occur unexpectedly, even during sleep.
3. Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
In urogynecology, the following treatment methods are used to address urinary incontinence:
- Bladder training exercises
- Scheduled bathroom visits
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Electrical stimulation
- Various medical tools and devices
- Pharmacological treatment (medication)
- Synthetic material injections
- Botox application to the bladder muscle
- Surgical treatment
What is the Treatment for Stress Incontinence?
The ideal treatment for stress incontinence is surgery. The most common and effective surgical option is the transobturator tape (TOT) procedure, which involves placing a mesh under the urethra to support it and prevent urine leakage.
The operation is performed vaginally.
A small, 1 cm incision is made under the urethra, and a needle is used to place the mesh. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be completed in just a few minutes.
Is Medication Available for Urinary Incontinence?
Medication can be used for patients without stress incontinence. In particular, drug therapy can be planned for overactive bladder, characterized by sudden, intense urges to urinate.
