Bladder & Vaginal Problems in Women

At Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona, we know that it can be difficult to talk about your bladder control and/or vaginal problems, but we encourage you to seek help if you experience any one (or a combination) of the following symptoms: urine leakage; frequent need to urinate; frequent bladder, urinary tract, or vaginal infections; inability to pass urine or empty your bladder completely; pressure in the vagina or pelvis; progressively weaker urine stream; pelvic or lower abdominal pain; and/or pain or bleeding with sexual intercourse. These symptoms may be indicative of more serious female urology and urogynecology problems that, if left untreated, could be detrimental to your quality of life.

The specialists at Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona understand that your health is a very personal matter and, for this reason, help you to feel comfortable at every stage of treatment – from the initial consultation to post-procedure follow-up care. Listed below are a few of the female urological problems effectively treated at Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona:

• Incontinence: The accidental release of urine. There are three main types of chronic female urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, which occurs when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog, or do other things that put pressure on your bladder; urge incontinence, which happens when you have a strong need to urinate but can’t reach the toilet in time; and overflow incontinence, which is an inability to completely empty your bladder.
• Overactive Bladder: The frequent and sudden urge to urinate.
• Voiding Dysfunction: The abnormality of the filling or emptying of the bladder. The three main types of chronic voiding dysfunction in women include: urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and painful urination.
• Urinary Tract Infection: An infection that usually occurs when bacteria enters the opening of the urethra and multiplies in the urinary tract.
• Bladder Infection: An infection that usually occurs when bacteria moves to the bladder and multiplies.
• Interstitial Cystitis (IC): A chronic inflammation of the bladder wall.
• Pelvic Pain: Pain, pressure, or tenderness around the pelvic region – below your bellybutton and between your hips.
• Bladder Cancer: Any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder.
• Bladder Pain: Pain, pressure, or tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and perineum – the area between the anus and vagina.
• Dropped Bladder (Or Prolapsed Bladder): The wall between a woman’s vagina and bladder weaken and the bladder drops into the vagina.
• Vaginal Prolapse: The organs inside the pelvis fall, bulge, or protrude into the vaginal wall.
• Urethral Syndrome: Defined as symptoms suggestive of a lower tract urinary infection, without any evidence of bacterial or viral infection as a cause.

There are many causes for the conditions above, ranging from difficulties during childbirth to a natural part of aging. Although older women may be more prone to some of these female urological problems, women of all ages can be affected – many of whom choose to suffer in silence rather than face their problems and seek treatment. The compassionate staff at Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona is sensitive to what can be embarrassing health issues. Most importantly, we provide patients with a better quality of life through a variety of urogynecology treatment options, including female incontinence and vaginal prolapse surgery, noninvasive urinary tract infection treatment, cystocele/ rectocele repair, and much more.