Urogynecology   

Millions of women suffer from incontinence, pelvic prolapse and bowel disorders—you are not alone.

Turn to UNM Health System’s board-certified urogynecologists and certified nurse midwives for compassionate women’s health care. We use advanced 3D imaging, noninvasive surgical approaches and lifestyle counseling to diagnose, treat and manage your symptoms.

Get high-quality care to feel like yourself again.

Conditions

Get answers and treatment for painful and uncomfortable pelvic floor conditions, including:

• Emptying disorders – difficulty urinating or moving bowels
• Fistulas – abnormal holes that leak waste
• Incontinence – involuntary loss of urine or feces
• Overactive bladder – frequent urination
• Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis) – chronic discomfort and pressure
• Pelvic organ prolapses, including rectocele and cystocele – downward slippage of the uterus, bladder, vagina or another pelvic organ
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – infections in the bladder, ureter, kidneys or another part of the urinary system

Diagnosis

Your doctor will use the latest technology to find the cause of your issue. The doctor may perform a urodynamic test to measure how well your bladder works. We may also use 3D ultrasound to create pictures of your organs and pelvis or cystoscopy to examine your bladder.

After reviewing your diagnosis, medical history and personal preferences, your doctor will recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Visit a urogynecologist. Call us at 505-272-2245 to schedule an appointment.

Treatment Without Surgery

• Biofeedback – uses sensors and a computer display to show your muscle activity as you practice pelvic floor exercises.
• Lifestyle modifications – may include Kegel exercises, bladder training, weight loss or other changes.
• Medications, especially relaxants – ease symptoms of your condition.
• Physical therapy – provided by specialized therapists who teach exercises to relieve incontinence, reduce pelvic pain and support organs.
• Pessary clinic – fits you for a small vaginal implant to support a slipping uterus or prevent urine loss.
• Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation – sends gentle electrical impulses through a nerve in your ankle to pelvic nerves that control an overactive bladder.

Surgical Treatment

Your provider may also recommend a surgical procedure. If it’s right for your situation, our surgeons may perform your procedure with a minimally invasive technique to reduce pain and recovery time.

• BOTOX® injection – relaxes the bladder and helps reduce urinary incontinence.
• Periurethral injection – bulks up tissue around the urethra to help prevent urine loss.
• Sacral neuromodulation (InterStim® Therapy) – involves implanting a tiny device to gently stimulate nerves that control your bladder and bowels.
• Sling placement – uses synthetic material to create a hammock under your urethra or bladder to help prevent incontinence.
• Sacrocolpopexy – lifts and holds the vagina in place with mesh to relieve organ prolapse.
• Uterosacral ligament suspension or sacrospinous fixation – attaches the vagina to ligaments or other structures higher in the pelvis to treat prolapsed uterus or other organs.