Not only is Emory healthcare on the cutting edge of technology, but Emory also strives and succeeds in their efforts at providing excellent quality patient care. At Emory, we realize that advanced technology is only a portion of good healthcare. Compassionate and understanding doctors are also critical. Emory realizes that it is the combination of providing up-to-date procedures along with personalized care that sets Emory apart from other medical facilities and is especially critical in their Gynecology and Obstetrics division.

These two aspects are especially critical when it comes to Women's Health Services. Women use Emory's services because they know they will be supported throughout their treatment while receiving the most current procedures, by renowned doctors. A developing area in Obstretrics and Gynocology is urogynecology.

Urogynecologists who specialize in caring for a woman's specific urology and pelvic problems. Although it may seem that this area is not needed, conditions treated by urogynecologists affect 1 out of every 4 women. This number actually exceeds the amount of women who suffer from hyper-tension, diabetes or depression. An easy way to grapple with the term urogynocologists is to think of this sub-specialist as an Ob/Gyn or Urologist who concentrates on caring for a woman's urology and pelvic problems.

Urogynecologists are unique in that they have completed not only a four year residency in Obstretrics and Gynecology, but they also have additional training in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs and the muscles and connective tissues that support the organs. This training allows them to help women with non-cancerous gynecologic problems that often result due to childbirth, menopause or aging.Urogynecologists primarily treat women with pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and prolapse (bulging or falling) of the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus. Statistics show that urinary incontinence (leakage of urine) is very common affecting 10-20% of women under age 65 and up to 56% of women over 65.

Pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and prolapse (bulging or falling) of the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus are among the most common procedure urogynecologists treat. Prolapse is when female organs fall down into the pelvic area; a gradual procedure that occurs over the course of many years. This problem is often accompanied by incontinence because both conditions are believed to result from damage to the pelvic floor that occurs after childbirth. However, while delivering a child is often a factor, other possible factors can lead to these conditions. For example, very heavy lifting on a daily basis (as some paramedics and factory workers might do) chronic coughing, severe constipation and obesity may all play a role in developing prolapse or incontinence.

There are three main avenues that can be used for treating these conditions, and these can be classified as behavioral, pharmacological, or surgical. Before resorting to surgery, most doctors first attempt to see if behavioral changes like diet and exercise modification can fix the situation. Since certain acidic food and beverage choices can irritate the bladder patients are given a strict diet to adhere to and if the diet helps, no other treatment is then pursued. Pelvic Muscle Exercises are included in behavioral changes because they strengthen a woman's sphincter muscles thereby reducing incontinence.

In addition, surgical treatments for these conditions may also be used. A fairly common surgical procedure is called Interstim Therapy and this is used to treat incontinence. In this procedure, a tined-lead is placed through the S3 foramen, and the lead is then attached to a small medical device call an implantable pulse generator or IPG (which is also use in cardiac pacemakers) which sends small electrical impulses to the sacral nerve. This helps to decrease the symptoms of urgency, frequency, urinary retention and most importantly, urge incontinence. In addition, there are ongoing studies involving injecting Botox into the bladder wall; more information on this procedure is still needed before it is recommended.

Emory continues its role as a top medical institution because it is not simply research oriented but understands the stress, anxiety, and confusion its patients may face when seeking treatment and going through the steps of recovery. Women's Health Services are especially attuned to the concerns of its patients, and responds with a staff team that is especially understanding, supportive, and compassionate. In addition to a caring medical staff, Emory Women's Health Services still remains at the forefront of new procedures and technology with its Center for Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Urogynecology. Emory is cognizant of new research and problems that women are incurring, and responds appropriately.