L A N C A S T E R M E D I C A L S O C I E T Y.O R G
best
pr ctices Urogynecology: Helping Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders
UROGYNECOLOGY: Dedicated to Helping Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders
Imaging System Upgrade At WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital Our Younger Women Deserve Better
LAUREN WESTERMANN, DO
LG Health Physicians Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
T
he subspecialty of urogynecology offers women a specialized approach to the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs. The official ABMS subspecialty is called Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). Training for the subspecialty of FPMRS requires a four-year residency in ob/gyn and a three-year fellowship in FPMRS before clinical practice. Pelvic floor disorders (PFD) include conditions involving weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or tears in the connective tissues resulting in conditions such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. It is more common than
LANCASTER
6
PHYSICIAN
many realize, because in many cases it goes unreported. Approximately 30 percent of women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder, but many are uncomfortable discussing these issues with their primary care providers and therefore suffer in silence. At LG Health Physicians Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, our practice offers the additional comfort of only female providers. In addition, as part of LG Health’s Women’s Specialty Center, patients are treated in an environment solely dedicated to women’s healthcare. A nurse coordinator makes referrals as needed to help women manage all of their healthcare needs. One of the most common PFDs we see in our practice is urinary incontinence. This presents in two forms: stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence is leakage caused by laughing, sneezing, coughing or exercise. This constitutes about 50 percent of cases. Urge incontinence, also