Bladder/Vaginal Treatments & Surgery at Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona

Just as the urologic conditions of the bladder and vagina are wide-ranging, so too are available treatment options. For women facing a chronic female urology or urogynecology problem, deciding on an appropriate treatment can be an intimidating task. The caring and supportive staff of Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona helps patients navigate through the maze of available treatments. As a patient of one of our seven locations based throughout the Arizona regions of Peoria, Anthem, Buckeye, Phoenix, Sun City, Litchfield Park, and Wickenburg, you can expect attentive, individualized care.

Our Urologists and Urogynecologists explain the details of your condition and present the best treatment strategies appropriate for your case. Whether you are suffering from chronic pelvic pain, vaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence, bladder cancer, or some other female urological problem, the specialists of our Arizona-based urology practice offer comprehensive options in treatment for the relief you seek.

The Urologists of AUUA provide women affected with a problem of the bladder or vagina with one of the most inclusive list of treatment options available in the Phoenix, Arizona region. Read on to discover what treatment may be suitable for your urology or urogynecology condition, ranging from naturopathic remedies to rectocele and cystocele surgical repair for a prolapsed vaginal wall to surgically implanted TVT slings for female urinary incontinence, and more.

Naturopathic Remedies for Female Urology Problems of the
Bladder & Vagina

In certain cases, naturopathic medicine may prove a viable treatment option for women afflicted with urologic conditions like female incontinence and pelvic pain. Kegel exercises, biofeedback, transcutaneous neurostimulation, and Pessary fittings all fall under the umbrella of naturopathic medicine and promote urinary continence, pelvic floor strength, as well as muscle control through the application of natural remedies and behavioral practices.

Pharmacologic Treatment

To treat stress and urge incontinence, urinary tract and bladder infections, Interstitial Cystitis, as well as other conditions, the urologic specialists of Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona may prescribe one or a combination of medicines for symptomatic relief.

Female Urologic Surgical Procedures:

Doctors Jeffery A. Stern and Aaron LaTowsky specialize in a wide-range of surgical procedures, some of which are minimally invasive and can be performed on an outpatient basis:

• Vaginal & Pelvic Prolapse: When the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or vagina fall out of their normal positions and into or out of the vaginal canal, it is a condition known as pelvic or vaginal prolapse. The Urologists of Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona offer a number of surgical procedures to repair the vaginal wall, reestablish structure, restore urinary and sexual function, and reduce discomfort. Most notably, Robotic Sacrocolpopexy, a surgery in which a synthetic mesh attaches the vaginal wall to the tailbone, is a cutting edge procedure renowned for its success rate and minimally invasive nature. Additional procedures include the vaginal insertion of mesh, known as an anterior cystocele repair surgery for a dropped bladder, posterior rectocele repair surgery for a prolapsed rectum, and an enterocele repair administered for a herniated small bowel. Other surgical treatments include, but are not limited to:
  • Laparoscopic Prolapse Repair
  • Vault Suspension
  • Pelvic Floor Reconstruction Surgery
  • Sacrospinous Ligament Fixations
  • Colpocleisis
  • Paravaginal Repair


• Incontinence: To lift the urethra and/or bladder into normal position to restore urinary continence, the Urologists of our Arizona-based urology center may recommend a surgical procedure for qualifying patients. One such procedure involves the insertion of a vaginal sling known as Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT) surgery in which a mesh tape is placed beneath the urethra to provide support. TVT is minimally invasive and is typically performed using a local anesthetic. Like the TVT sling, Trans Obturator Tape (TOT) slings restore continence with the insertion of a supportive urethral sling, but instead of accessing the urethra through the retropubic space and adnominal wall, the urethra is approached through incisions in the groin (both sides) and vagina. Other surgical options include:
  • Burch: A surgical procedure in which the neck of the bladder is suspended using sutures to the Cooper’s ligament.
  • Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair: A surgical procedure used to repair a vaginal fistula, or an abnormal connection between the vagina and bladder.
  • Bulking Agents (Collagen, Tegress, Durasphere): Urethral bulking agents are injected in the vicinity of the urinary sphincter to increase the pressure on the sphincter to maintain continence.
  • Sacral Neuromodulation (Interstim): An implantable device that delivers pulses to the sacral nerve to restore continence.
  • Bladder Conditions, Tumors, & Cancer: To remove malignant growths of the bladder, the Urologists of Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona perform a laparoscopic or robotic radical or partial cystectomy, where a portion of or the entire bladder is removed. For patients suffering from chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis, Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona offers Hydrodistention, in which the bladder is filled to capacity with water and then released.