Many patients are uncomfortable discussing bladder control problems, but at Premier OB/GYN, LLC, there is help and a compassionate physician to listen. Dr. Aaron Sudbury, who is board-certified and specializes in uro-gynecology as well as gynecology and obstetrics, openly discusses the sensitive issue of urinary incontinence and Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence with his patients. He offers evaluation, management, and the most advanced technology available to treat urinary incontinence.
What is the difference between a gynecologist and a uro-gynecologist?
Gynecologists specialize in the health of the female reproductive system. This includes the uterus, cervix, vagina, and ovaries. An uro-gynecologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the pelvic floor. The most common issues that would come into play are incontinence and prolapse. Many women experience changes in the pelvic floor after vaginal childbirth, but heredity and straining from constipation also play a role. An uro-gynecologist works to restore the pelvic floor anatomy that has weakened.
What is the difference between a uro-gynecologist and a urologist?
A urologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract disorders for both female and male patients, along with the male reproductive system. Urologists have specialty training in both conservative treatments and surgical management of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Uro-gynecologists specialize in treating women with complex benign pelvic conditions, including lower urinary tract disorders. Uro-gynecologists such as Dr. Sudbury hare trained in comprehensive management of pelvic floor conditions.
What are the common areas uro-gynecologists treat?
The pelvic floor is a system of ligaments, muscles, and tissues that supports the uterus, vagina, bladder, urethra, small bowel, and rectum. Dr. Sudbury provides care for women suffering from pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Pelvic floor disorders occur when the vaginal walls become relaxed, and the support structures of the pelvic floor weaken.
These are the most common types of pelvic floor disorders we treat at Premier OB/GYN:
Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB)
Women with OAB have annoying urinary urgency and/or urinary frequency and occasional nighttime awakenings due to the need to urinate. OAB may include urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence
This is uncontrollable leakage of urine. The most common form of urinary incontinence is stress urinary incontinence, where leakage is associated with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or other activities.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
This is a common pelvic floor disorder where one or more of the organs in the pelvis, such as the uterus and the cervix or the inner vaginal walls, become relaxed to the point of dropping close to or beyond the vaginal opening. These prolapses cause women to feel pressure, fullness, or a bulging sensation in the vagina.
Fecal incontinence
This is inadvertent loss of stool in liquid, solid, or gas bowel contents.
Pelvic pain
This type of pain arises from any of the organ systems housed within the female pelvis.
What types of symptoms would tell me I need to see a uro-gynecologist?
If you have any of the following symptoms, Dr. Sudbury may be the perfect choice for treatment:
- Vaginal bulging or something coming out of your vagina
- Fullness or aching in the vagina that is worse at the end of a day or during bowel movements
- Trouble urinating or emptying your bladder
- Leaking urine or feces
- Frequent or urgent need for urination
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Pain during sex
- Pelvic pain
How does Dr. Sudbury treat these problems with the pelvic floor?
Treatments for pelvic organ prolapse
- Lifestyle changes — These include dietary changes or weight loss.
- Physical therapy — Kegels, exercises that can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, can help with POP.
- Pessary — Dr. Sudbury can place intra-vaginal support devices to hold up the organs or vaginal walls.
- Surgery — Suspension procedures and surgeries may be necessary to restore normal vaginal anatomy.
Treatments for stress urinary incontinence
- Lifestyle changes — These can include limits on caffeine and alcohol, pelvic floor exercises, quitting smoking, dietary changes, and others.
- Physical therapy — Kegels can help limit leakage.
- Pessary — This can be used to compress the urethra to prevent leakage.
- Procedures — Injections into the muscle of the urethra are called urethral bulking.
- Surgery — A urethral sling can be surgically placed under the urethra to help prevent urinary leakage.
Treatments for overactive bladder
- Medications — Dr. Sudbury may prescribe antispasmodic or anticholinergic drugs.
- Nonsurgical devices — Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation provides indirect electrical stimulation to the nerves responsible for bladder function.
- Injections — Dr. Sudbury may inject Botox into the bladder muscle, which relaxes the muscle and reduces bladder muscle spasms.
What should I expect at my uro-gynecologist appointment?
Your appointment with Dr. Sudbury will begin with a discussion of your medical history, as that will provide clues to the cause of your pelvic problems. You’ll need to share these aspects of your medical history:
- Past births
- Genetics
- Age
- Weight
- Strenuous activities
- Chronic coughing
- Chronic constipation
- Other factors that could impact your pelvic health
From there, you’ll need to openly answer questions posed by Dr. Sudbury as he seeks to find the causes of your problems. He will ask about incontinence, vaginal bulges, pelvic pain, constipation, diarrhea, and other notable issues.
Next, Dr. Sudbury will perform a pelvic and/or a rectal exam.
If he has enough information, Dr. Sudbury will diagnose what’s going on with your body and will map out a course of treatment. If he feels more information is necessary, he may order additional tests, such as ultrasound, cystoscopy, or others.
Patient Testimonials
"My whole experience from the front counter to the nurses to the Doctor was unbelievable. Dr. Sudbury is amazing and helped me out with me out with a lot of problems I had been having for years. I was so scared to go to the Doctors but Dr. Sudbury and his nurse made me feel comfortable and I felt like they really listened. They are my life savers and I will always be so grateful."
- Nicole M.
"Nothing but positive things to say about this place and the staff. They are friendly, professional, and stay on top of everything. I see Dr. Sudbury and would highly recommend him!"
- Lindsay C.
Contact Us Today
Dr. Sudbury, a skilled surgeon, is experienced in Bladder Sling Procedure as well as being certified in InterStim® Therapy. If you have a question regarding a uro-gynecological problem, please call our office at 941-745-5115 for more information.
Uro-gynecological services:
- Evaluation and treatment of female incontinence
- Evaluation and treatment of pelvic prolapse
- In-office urodynamic testing
- Certified for InterStim® Therapy
- Bladder sling procedure
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Tibial Nerve Stimulation
