A urogynecologist specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction in women, including prolapse and incontinence issues. They have specialized education and training and work in various settings. Education includes a bachelor’s degree, medical school, residency, and fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery.
A urogynecologist is a doctor who specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction in women. This type of doctor must diagnose and treat a variety of issues, including prolapse and incontinence issues. A urogynecologist must have many years of specialized education and training to practice this type of medicine. He or she works in a variety of settings, ranging from private practice to hospital settings.
Unlike a urologist, a gynecologist or an obstetrician, a urogynecologist only focuses on a few procedures that deal with the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor includes all the nerves, tissues and ligaments that support the bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum. The pelvic floors are often damaged by childbirth, heavy lifting, illness and surgery. The two main problems that arise with the pelvic floor are urinary incontinence and prolapse.
Urinary incontinence is a common disorder that results in leakage of urine. A urogynecologist should be able to detect the symptoms of this disorder by asking the patient questions and performing an examination. Treatment consists of a variety of medications and surgical options.
Prolapse refers to displacement of female organs. A urogynecologist must detect the drooping, sagging and bulging of female organs by performing a series of tests on the patient. The doctor must also know the different ways of treating these disorders in order to help the patient to live a healthy life. Regardless of the problem faced by the patient, the doctor should frequently follow up with the patients to check the progress of recovery.
A urogynecologist can work in any of several professional settings. Private gynecological practices often have one or more urogynecology specialists on hand and often only see patients that colleagues refer to them. Some urogynecologists work independently and must establish connections with other physicians for referrals. Many others are part of a hospital staff and treat hospitalized patients with pelvic disorders.
Education is the cornerstone of any urogynecologist. A bachelor’s degree in pre-med or biology is a common gateway to medical school. After entering medical school, he or she must complete a three- to four-year residency in urology or obstetrics and gynecology. In addition to this residency, he or she must complete a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery to become a specialist in the female pelvis. After fulfilling these educational requirements, he or she must pass the board’s certification exam to become a urogynecologist.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
