Urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery specialists are physicians that treat women who are experiencing pelvic floor problems. These doctors have a special interest in treating various urogynecologic conditions through non-surgical methods such as pelvic floor physical therapy.
Treatment Specialists
L. Lewis Wall, MD, DPhil, MBioeth
John P. Judd, MD
FOR APPOINTMENTS, CALL (314) 747-1402
What Is A Urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the care of women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue, and nerves that help support and control the rectum, uterus, vagina, and bladder. The pelvic floor can be damaged by childbirth, repeated heavy lifting, chronic disease or surgery.
Some problems due to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and their symptoms include:
- Incontinence: Loss of bladder or bowel control, leakage of urine or feces.
- Prolapse: Descent of pelvic organs; a bulge and/or pressure; dropped uterus, bladder, vagina or rectum.
- Emptying Disorders: difficulty urinating or moving bowels.
- Overactive Bladder: Frequent need to void, bladder pressure, urgency, urgency incontinence or difficulty holding back a full bladder.
When needed, a full range of sophisticated testing and advanced surgical procedures are provided. Specialized in-office testing may include cystoscopy, urethroscopy, multichannel urodynamic testing, rectal monometry and pelvic floor EMG (electromyelogram). What Patients Should Expect
Complete patient care, from evaluation through surgical treatment, is a feature of this division. A multidisciplinary team including fellowship-trained urogynecologists, physical therapists specializing in pelvic floor pain and rehabilitation, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians provide patient care. This multidisciplinary approach greatly increases the chance of successful therapy.
For more information on incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and other urogynecologic conditions,
- visit the Washington University Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery web site at bladder.wustl.edu.