Urogynecology Explained: When to See a Urogynecology Specialist?

Q: When should one consult a urogynecologist?

You should consider seeing a urogynecologist if you: • Leak urine while sneezing, laughing, or exercising • Feel pressure or bulging in the vaginal area • Have frequent UTIs or trouble emptying your bladder • Have pelvic pain or bowel control issues • Are you facing complications from prior pelvic surgery or mesh?

Home / Blog / Urogynecology Explained: When to See a Urogynecology Specialist?

Any woman after their 40s may ignore sudden urine leaks and just assume that it is normal after childbirth, or it is a part of getting older. These are symptoms that point at pelvic floor disorders.

This is where a urogynaecology specialist (urogynecologist) will have a role in.

Urogynaecology is a medical specialty dealing with women’s pelvic health, beyond a gynaecologist's scope. This bridges urology and gynaecology. Urogynecologists treat urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and more.

Did you know 1 in 3 women over 40 years of age in India experience symptoms relating to pelvic floor disorders?

Read on as we uncover what urogynecology is, when to consult a urogynecology specialist, and how treatments work in India.

What is Urogynaecology?

Urogynaecology is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of female pelvic floor disorders and other urinary problems related to the female genitourinary tract.

These conditions affect organs like:

Bladder
Uterus
Vagina
Rectum

While a gynaecologist focuses on menstrual issues, pregnancy, and reproductive health, a urogynecologist focuses on bladder prolapse, pelvic floor damage, and chronic pelvic pain.

What Conditions Does a Urogynecologist Treat?

Here are the primary conditions treated by urogynecology specialists in India:

1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

When the bladder, uterus, or rectum gradually descends from its usual place into the vaginal wall.

Bladder descent (Cystocele)
Rectal descent (rectocele)
Uterine descent (Uterovaginal prolapse)
Vaginal vault descent (Vault prolapse)

2. Urinary Incontinence

Leakage of urine without having control causes social problems.

Stress Incontinence
Urge incontinence
Mixed Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects 30-40% of women globally post-menopause (WHO)

3. Urogynaecological fistula

Leakage of urine through abnormal openings

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF)
Urethrovaginal fistula (UVF)
Ureterovaginal fistula

4. Functional problems

Dysfunctional voiding
Bladder bowel dysfunction
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction

When Should You See a Urogynecology Specialist?

You should consider consulting a urogynecology specialist if you are experiencing:

Persistent urinary leaks
Heaviness or bulging from the vagina
Difficulty in starting or controlling urination
Severe pelvic pain unrelated to periods
Prolapse symptoms worsening post-childbirth
Recurrent burning urination and pain while passing urine (mistakenly Rx as UTI sometimes)

Many women delay treatment, risking worsening symptoms and infections.

A Times of India article (2023) covered a case in Chennai where a woman ignored prolapse symptoms for three years until she could no longer walk comfortably, as the uterus came out completely and got jammed between her legs.

Early consultation with a urogynaecologist could have prevented this. If you are facing any of the above symptoms, consult with our expert urogynecologist.

Do Urogynaecologists Perform Surgeries?

Depending on the condition’s severity, urogynecologists in India perform:

All kinds of Sling procedures for stress incontinence
Surgeries for stress urinary incontinence
Botox injection to the bladder in case of urgency incontinence
Botox injection to the urethra in case of dysfunctional voiding
Laparoscopic or robotic prolapse repair
Vaginal and abdominal prolapse repair
VVF and UVF repair

Why Choose NU Hospitals for Urogynecology Care?

No. 1 Hospital for Urology Care In India and Bangalore
Pioneers in Urogynecology Surgery
Legacy of Innovation and Trusted by Millions
Protocolized Evidence-based Care
Renowned Team of Experts with a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Exceptional Care and World-class Technology
NABH-accredited facility
Robotic and laparoscopic surgical options
House for experienced urogynecologists in India

Frequently Asked Questions About Urogynecologists:

1. What conditions do urogynecologists treat?

Urogynecologists specialize in treating pelvic floor disorders in women, including:

Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, uterus, or rectum descent)
Urinary incontinence (leakage)
Fecal incontinence
Overactive bladder
Urinary retention or difficulty emptying
Painful bladder syndrome
Recurrent urinary tract infections and similar symptoms
Fistulas and mesh complications

2. Do I need a referral to see a urogynecologist?

In most cases, you can book a consultation directly with a urogynecologist. However, some insurance providers or hospital systems may require a referral from a general physician or gynecologist. It’s best to check with your healthcare provider or hospital.

3. Is a urogynecologist different from a urologist?

Yes. A urogynecologist is trained in both urogynecology and female pelvic medicine, focusing only on women’s pelvic floor issues and urinary issues. A urologist typically treats both men and women for urinary problems, but doesn’t usually focus on prolapse or childbirth-related pelvic issues.

4. Do they treat prolapse and leakage?

Yes. Urogynecologists are the experts in treating pelvic organ prolapse and all types of urinary leakage, including stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

5. Are urogynecology treatments only surgical?

Not always. Treatment can be non-surgical (lifestyle changes, pelvic floor therapy, medications, pessaries) or surgical (minimally invasive or traditional surgeries), depending on the severity and the patient’s needs.

6. How is urogynecology different from gynecology?

Gynecology covers general female reproductive health (menstruation, fertility, menopause, etc.). Urogynecology focuses specifically on pelvic floor dysfunction, such as prolapse, incontinence, and bladder control issues, often after childbirth or aging, along with various other functional urology issues.

7. When should one consult a urogynecologist?

You should consider seeing a urogynecologist if you:

Leak urine while sneezing, laughing, or exercising
Feel pressure or bulging in the vaginal area
Have frequent UTIs or trouble emptying your bladder
Have pelvic pain or bowel control issues
Are you facing complications from prior pelvic surgery or mesh?

Ignoring pelvic floor issues like bladder leaks or prolapse can severely affect a woman’s quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, or bladder prolapse, consulting a urogynecology specialist early helps to prevent complications and restore confidence.

If you’re in India, especially Bangalore, NU Hospitals offers specialized urogynecology care with proven outcomes.

Call NU Hospitals Bangalore today or book an appointment with a certified urogynecology specialist.

Reference Links:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/urogynecologist

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