Urogynecology

Aging. Childbirth. Menopause. Each of these can contribute to a problem that most women do not want to talk about — urinary incontinence.

While urinary leakage is common among women, with an estimated 13 million women dealing with some form of incontinence, it is not considered normal. And, you don’t have to live with it. Today, there are more treatment options for incontinence than ever before, and most cases can be controlled, if not cured.

The resources of Edward-Elmhurst Health enable us to offer a wide range of urogynecologic services across the system. Our goal is to help you overcome incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic floor disorders, and more so you can get back to life as usual.

Types of incontinence

There are three types of incontinence (leaking of urine):

• Stress incontinence results when certain activities, such as sneezing, laughing or exercise, lead to increased pressure on the bladder and result in a small amount of leakage.
• Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is a loss of bladder control following an overwhelming urge to urinate. Symptoms may also include urinary frequency and getting up often at night to urinate.
• Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder will not empty completely, which causes an overflow, frequency and leakage of urine.

Causes of incontinence and pelvic disorders

Weakness or atrophy in the pelvic floor muscles or structural defects of the pelvic organs can cause or contribute to incontinence and prolapse. Life experiences, such as childbirth, infertility treatment, menopause, and other health conditions, such as chronic constipation and straining, chronic coughing, obesity and heavy-lifting, can cause or contribute to these issues. In addition, certain disease treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can also contribute to pelvic floor disorders.

Men can experience incontinence, too. Men with nerve damage or muscle weakness due to trauma or as part of back pain, as well as those undergoing cancer treatment that affects the pelvic area, such as radiation treatment for prostate cancer, may experience different levels of incontinence.

Your pelvic medicine team

Led by a group of board certified, fellowship trained urogynecologists and specially trained nurses, the Women's Center for Pelvic Medicine at Edward-Elmhurst Health offers a range of treatment options for pelvic floor disorders, including bladder and bowel problems and prolapse of the female organs.

We provide surgical and non-surgical approaches to the management of urinary incontinence, voiding difficulties, uterine and vaginal prolapse, genitourinary fistulas and mesh related complications.

Treatment options at the Women’s Center for Pelvic Medicine

After we meet with you and obtain a complete medical history, we’ll develop your individualized treatment plan, which may include a combination of treatments based on your unique needs:

Candidates for urogynecologic services

Candidates for urogyne services include women who have been diagnosed with pelvic pain, vaginal prolapse, pelvic floor disorders, overactive bladder or incontinence. Women who have had a hysterectomy or a C-section may also benefit from treatment to prevent pelvic floor problems.

Get more information or make an appointment

The Edward-Elmhurst Women’s Center for Pelvic Medicine has two convenient locations:

Lisle
Edward Medical Group - Lisle
3033 Ogden Ave, Ste 101

Elmhurst
Elmhurst Hospital Campus, Center for Health
1200 S. York St., Ste 4250

Hours by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment for an evaluation, please call 630-527-5120 (Lisle) or 331-221-5720 (Elmhurst).

Pelvic floor rehabilitation

Pelvic floor physical therapy has been increasing in prevalence with patients seeking alternative treatments for pelvic pain, incontinence and other pelvic issues. One in seven women in the US suffers from pelvic pain.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation services are also offered by Edward-Elmhurst certified physical therapists. To make an appointment, call the location most convenient for you. 

Elmhurst
Center for Health, Elmhurst Hospital campus
1200 S. York St.
(331) 221-9696

Edward-Elmhurst Health Center
429 N. York St.
(331) 221-5590

Naperville
Edward Rehabilitation
1331 W. 75th St., Suite 102
(630) 527-3375

South Naperville
Edward Rehabilitation
1695 Forgue Dr. 
(630) 646-6410

North Plainfield
Edward Outpatient Center
24600 W. 127th St.
Bldg A, 2nd Floor
(815) 731-9050

Woodridge
Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness Center – Seven Bridges
6600 S. Route 53
(630) 646-7900

Insurance coverage for pelvic floor treatments

If your insurance plan covers physical therapy, it probably covers pelvic floor rehabilitation as well. Check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage.