Urology & Women’s Health

Urology and Women’s Health

It's a misconception that urology pertains only to men’s health. Problems related to a woman’s urinary system are rarely talked about. Just like men, women too can have kidney stones, cysts in their kidneys, kidney tumors and bladder cancer. Also, women are more prone to suffering from bladder prolapse, urinary incontinence (leakage of bladder), and overactive bladder (frequent and sudden urge to urinate) than men.

If you have a problem with your urinary tract, you can visit a urology specialist in Bangalore.

What are the basic things we should know about urology?

Urology is a part of health care that deals with diseases or conditions affecting the genitourinary tract — the kidneys, the urinary bladder, the adrenal glands, the urethra, the reproductive organs — and male fertility through medicinal, surgical and non-invasive treatment methods.
Doctors who treat female pelvic health are called “female urologists”. They complete a fellowship training and get a certificate in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, thus they have special expertise in managing women's urinary health.

What are the symptoms that indicate urinary problems?

These can include:

• Incontinence
• Difficulty in initiating urination
• Difficulty in maintaining a good stream
• Pain in the back or sides
• Constant urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine

What causes urology problems in women?

Any life events or health conditions may lead to stress incontinence in women by weakening their pelvic floor muscles. Most common reasons are:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Trauma or injury, such as sexual assault
• Cystocele and pelvic organ prolapse
• Menopause
• Kidney stones that obstruct the urinary tract

When do you need to see a urologist?

If you are experiencing symptoms that may significantly affect your quality of life, you must immediately seek your urologist’s advice or search for an urologist near me. Common symptoms to look for: 

• Weak urine flow
• Blood in the urine, also called hematuria
• Bladder infection symptoms, including painful urination

Don't be embarrassed to ask your doctor about any urological issue. 

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Koramangala, Bangalore.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the treatment methods available?

Depending on the condition and problem, various treatment methods can be used. Mostly the following treatments will be prescribed by your urologist.

Bladder prolapse

• Exercises to help strengthen the muscles
• Pessary: A device inserted in your vagina to hold your bladder in place.  
• Surgical pelvic floor repair

Incontinence: 

Non-surgical treatment

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications (like estrogens, antidepressants or alpha-adrenergic drugs)
• Injection therapy

Surgical treatment

• Urethral or mid-urethral slings
• Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) 

Interstitial cystitis: 

• Physical therapy
• Biofeedback and bladder retraining
• Medication
• Cystoscopic evaluation
• Bladder hydrodistention 

Pelvic floor repair: 

Non-surgical treatment:

• Pessary
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Estrogen replacement therapy

Surgical treatment

• Abdominal surgery using mesh
• Vaginal surgery without mesh

Urinary infections

• Antibiotics to treat infections.
• In more severe cases, hospitalization and IV antibiotics may be necessary.

Conclusion

Women are at a greater risk of having urinary tract problems that are unique to their anatomy. Therefore, women should not delay seeing a urologist in Koramangala.