Pelvic Health

You are not alone…

Do you leak when you laugh or cough? Do you feel pressure and discomfort after a long day of standing on your feet? Do you look for bathrooms everywhere you go because you are worried you might not get there in time? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are most certainly not alone.

At least 25% of all American women report urinary leakage or pelvic discomfort which has a negative impact on their quality of life. 50% of women with pelvic floor disorders or incontinence do not discuss these problems with their doctors. These disorders tend to become more and more common as women age. They can be related to childbirth or other medical conditions. It may seem like everyone you know has similar problems, but that doesn’t mean it is normal or should be tolerated. You don’t have to live with incontinence, pelvic discomfort or pads.

To address your pelvic health questions, our Urology team may be reached at 301-662-4774.

What's next?

Frederick Health has created a multidisciplinary pelvic health program designed to help you put an end to the leaks and discomfort. Pelvic health problems can have complex causes, but we’ve brought together a team of specialists who work collaboratively to provide the proper diagnostic tests and treatment.

Your coordinated treatment team might include but is not limited to:

• Primary care physicians
• Gynecologists
• Urologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Colon-rectal surgeons
• Uro-gynecologists
• Pain management specialists
• Physical therapists.

That long list of specialists might sound intimidating, but you won’t have to manage all of those appointments on your own. Our Women’s Health Navigator will be your advocate from day one.The navigator, works closely with each patient to help determine the best course of action for her specific condition, and facilitates communication with providers who offer these specialized services and the highest quality care. The navigator’s role is to assist in coordinating this care, and help guide the patient through the process of evaluation, treatment and resolution. This navigator benefit is free of charge to all patients.

What types of problems does the program treat?

Some of the conditions that can be evaluated and treated include:

• Leakage of stool or urine
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Urinary frequency
• Pain with intercourse
• Heavy or frequent bleeding
• Interstitial cystitis
• Relaxation or dropping of the uterus, bladder, vagina or rectum

How can you be helped?

Treatments might include medications, physical therapy and/or surgery. The multidisciplinary team can handle a wide range of concerns, using the most up-to-date and minimally invasive therapies and surgeries. Procedures can be done vaginally, laparoscopically and robotically; all methods that produce the best quality results, while shortening any necessary hospital stay and/or recovery time.

What should you do now?

To address your pelvic health questions, our Urology team may be reached at 301-662-4774.