The Lowdown: Urge vs. Stress Incontinence
July 25, 2017
Check out the first episode of our new series “The Lowdown” where we explain the difference between the two types of urinary incontinence: stress and urge. Stress urinary incontinence occurs with increased stress or pressure from laughing, coughing, sneezing, exercise or jumping on a trampoline, and at times with intercourse. This type of incontinence occurs due to the weakening of […]
Benefits of Vaginal Estrogen
February 10, 2017
Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone present in females that is secreted mainly by the ovaries. Its main function is female reproduction and sex characteristics but also contributes to cognition, mental health and immunity. As women age, and after some surgical procedures, hormone levels can decrease leading to irritative, and sometimes painful symptoms. Decreased levels of estrogen can cause atrophic […]
Vaginal Dilators for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
January 14, 2016
Dyspareunia or pain with intercourse can be caused by a number of sources. If you are having pain with intercourse, it is important to see your gynecologist or urogynecologist to discuss your symptoms and to undergo a pelvic exam to see what is causing your pain. Some common causes for pain with intercourse include vaginal dryness in post-menopausal women, pelvic […]
Patients begin with the narrowest dilator size and slowly increase in size over time. This allows for a slight expansion and relaxation of the vaginal walls. The dilator is placed inside the vagina daily for 10-15 minutes a day. Use should never be painful. Using the stimulation helps to further relax the pelvic floor muscles. Dilators may be used in […]
Martius Flap
December 15, 2015
A Martius flap is a procedure that is done to reinforce the urethra during a urethral repair. The flap is created by transferring fatty tissue from the labia majora to the urethra. This procedure is often done at the time of a urethral diverticulectomy. The fatty tissue that is placed around the urethra to give an extra support layer between […]
Rectocele Repair and Vaginal Rejuvenation
November 16, 2015
There are two components of vaginal rejuvenation, vaginoplasty and perineoplasty. Vaginoplasty is a surgery done to restore the inner caliber of the vagina and perineoplasty is the procedure used to tighten the opening of the vagina. Patients who are considering vaginal rejuvenation, often present with complaints of vaginal looseness and decreased sensation with intercourse as well as changes in the […]
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Something falling out of the vagina
August 15, 2015
What is a prolapse? A prolapse is a dropping of surrounding organs into the vagina. This can include the bladder (cystocele), uterus, small intestine (enterocele) or rectum (rectocele). In some cases, there is prolapse of all of these organs, causing a significant sensation of pelvic pressure, a vaginal bulge or even of something “falling out of the vagina.” Prolapse is […]
Can Labia Minora and Labia Majoria Reductions Be Performed at The Same Time?
June 6, 2015
In many cases both procedures can be done at the same time. However, if the incisions are significantly close to one another we sometimes we recommend that the procedures are done in two separate settings to allow for healing time of the first surgical area. Both of these procedures are typically done in the office under oral sedation. Reduced Recovery […]
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
June 5, 2015
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is often used in the treatment of a wide variety of Conditions. The condition that is most responsive to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction where over contractility of the pelvic floor muscles causes symptoms such as Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS), Overactive Bladder (OAB),constipation, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), urinary obstruction, and vulvodynia (pain referred to […]
Tensor Fascia Lata Pubovaginal Sling for Incontinence
May 15, 2015
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the leakage of urine with physical stressors, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or with exercise, causing abdominal pressure to increase. When leakage is minimal and not disruptive to activities of daily living, patients may be satisfied with relief from kegel exercises or pelvic floor physical therapy. The mainstay of treatment for SUI at Austin Urogynecology […]
Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Common?
May 11, 2015
One of the most common conditions we see at Austin Urogynecology is pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the result of a relaxation of the pelvic supportive fascia and muscles that work to hold the bladder, uterus and rectum in place. Incidence of pelvic organ prolapse is fairly common and increases with age and an increase in overall […]