"Treating a Common Women's Problem"

Treating a Common Women's Problem

Female pelvic floor dysfunction is surprisingly common among adult women. Nearly half will be affected by urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, or both, in their lifetime. For some women, these problems begin during young adulthood, while for others it can be following menopause. Obesity, heavy lifting or repetitive straining such as constipation, and past surgical procedures such as hysterectomy, can also contribute to these problems.

Signs of This Disorder
Some women may experience leakage during physical activity (known as stress urinary incontinence) whereas others may be unable to defer the urge and may lose bladder control with little warning or on their way to the bathroom (urge incontinence). Others, still, may experience urinary frequency, urgency or bladder discomfort without leakage.

Treatments Differ
While some types of pelvic floor dysfunction may improve with time or with simple exercises (such as kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscle), most can be managed by a combination of pelvic floor retraining, medications and, in some cases, surgery. It is important to understand that treatment options differ for different types of problems. For example, stress incontinence can be corrected by an outpatient surgical procedure, whereas urgency is almost never treated surgically.

Your Next Step if You Have These Issues
If you think you have a problem, there are physicians known as urogynecologists who are medical doctors who specialize in pelvic floor disorders. Most are board certified gynecologists who have additional training and expertise. Seek one out at your local hospital using a physician referral service.

I will be writing periodically about the various urogynecology issues.
Please submit questions below and let me know what you would like to discuss.

ABOUT DR. TOGLIA

As the first urogynecologist to set up practice in the western Philadelphia suburbs, Marc R. Toglia, M.D., received his degree in medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed a residency at University of Michigan Hospital. Board certified in Gynecology, with a specialty in urogynecology, he serves as Chief, Division of Urogynecolgy, Main Line Health. He has been on the Riddle Hospital staff since 1997.

“Getting the most from your visit to the doctor”

Americans are living longer. This is a fact. According to the 2009 United States Census, 13 percent of Americans are older than 65 years of age. Of course, as we age, we get more aches and pains, and find that we need to go to the doctor more frequently than before. The specialty of geriatrics focuses on treating older people.

Finding a specialist

If you want to find a geriatrician in your area, call the referral line at a hospital where you would want to be treated. Many geriatricians have private offices and are affiliated with hospitals. Since they are usually primary care physicians, geriatricians provide that first-line treatment for all that ails you. They also care for such health issues as arthritis, diabetes and hypertension.

Be prepared for your visit

It is a good idea, when you are seeing the doctor to bring either a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take (including the dosage) or simply bring the actual containers in a bag. Then prioritize all of your issues - aches and pains - you want to discuss during the visit. Write them down. This way, if the doctor cannot address everything on your list due to limited time, at least you will have covered the most important ones.  If there are many more issues, ask for a second appointment. If you are a regular patient, when you are making a routine appointment, mention to the office that you need extra time during your visit. They may be able to accommodate you.

Bring an advocate

Another good idea is to bring someone with you into the exam room when you see the doctor. This way you can be sure all of the advice and directions are captured and can be implemented. In every case, the doctor should write down all of the instructions that you should be following.

I will be writing periodically about health and nutrition topics of interest to seniors. 

Let me know what you would like to discuss.

ABOUT DR. SHANK

Michael Shank, D.O., received his degree in osteopathic medicine and completed a residency at Suburban General Hospital. Board certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics, he serves as the Medical Director of the Skilled Nursing Facility at Riddle Hospital. He has been on the Riddle Hospital staff, where he also serves as chair of Family Medicine, since 1987.