Stress Urinary Incontinence
One out of three women in the United States will suffer with urinary incontinence at sometime during their lives.
Stress urinary incontinence(SUI) is the most common form of involuntary urine loss. It occurs with routine activities such as laughing, coughing, exercising or just walking or change in position.
SUI is caused by the loss of structural and functional integrity of the pelvic floor. This leads to weakness of the supports of the vagina, bladder, urethra, uterus, and rectum. It is therefore commonly associated with prolapse (dropped uterus and vagina) , cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele (dropped rectum) and often times urinary urgency and frequency.
Correct management is based on an accurate diagnosis and treatment is tailored to each woman. Individual evaluation and occasionally testing of bladder function may be necessary. The treatment plan can include behavioral and muscle therapy, medication, or surgery.
Many woman with SUI can benefit from a new minimally invasive procedure called Tension Free Vaginal Tape (TVT). This procedure can be performed under local or regional anesthesia and usually takes no longer than 20 - 25 minutes. Recovery is quick, results are immediate, and complications are rare. The success rate is approximately 85%, similar to traditional surgery involving more extensive procedures which require longer hospital stays and slower recovery.
For more information:
What is a Urogynecologist?
Dr. Raul Mendelovici, Urogynecologist
580 Cottage Grove Road, Suite 205
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
Phone: 860.286.2996
Fax: 860.286.0862
Website: www.cturogyn.com
or
The Health Learning Center
Saint Francis Care
114 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 714-KNOW (5669)