Female Urologic Conditions
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine, affects men and women differently. It’s more common in women, especially after labor and delivery and after menopause – 30% of older women have some degree of incontinence. The two main types of incontinence affecting women are:
- Stress urinary incontinence, in which a woman leaks urine during physical strain on the bladder from coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects.
- Overactive bladder (OAB), associated with a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, which can result in not being able to get to the bathroom in time.
Treatment for female urinary incontinence varies depending on the type of incontinence and can range from pelvic training to surgery. This condition is also treated by our urogynecology specialists.
Sexual dysfunction
In women, as in men, sexual dysfunction can stem from both physical and emotional issues. Female sexual dysfunction is divided into four categories: sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder, and sexual pain disorder (dyspareunia). You can learn more about female sexual dysfunction on our urogynecology page.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
POP is a type of pelvic floor disorder which affects roughly 1 out of every 3 women during her lifetime. Childbirth, hysterectomy, and menopause can all contribute to this weakening of the pelvic floor, the muscles and ligaments that support a woman’s pelvic organs. When this happens, one or more of the pelvic organs (vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra, small intestine, or rectum) drop lower into the pelvis, causing a bulge in the vagina. This can lead to urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Treatment for pelvic prolapse often involves surgery and will depend on the severity of the problem and the woman’s personal preferences.
Pelvic Pain
Pain can occur during ovulation and menstruation or be due to endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
