Urogynecologist
Last reviewed: 27.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Urogynecologist is a doctor engaged in the prevention and treatment of diseases of the urinary system of women.
The urogynecologist can help women with enuresis, cystitis, urethritis, urogenital infections.
Who is a urogynecologist?
Urogynecologist performs cystoscopy, colposcopy, directs patients to X-ray and ultrasound examinations of pelvic organs.
Cystoscopy in urology and gynecology determines the nature of many diseases of female genital organs and organs of excretion. Of particular value from the point of view of diagnostics, the method is for the detection of congenital abnormalities of the urinary system, for example, urethrocele. Cystoscopy helps to establish the stage of a malignant tumor process.
Urethroscopy helps to recognize and treat inflammation of the urethra.
The urogynecologist treats such a common female urological disease as cystitis. Often cystitis occurs after infection, or as an allergic reaction. Signs of cystitis: pain in the lower abdomen, blood and pus in the urine.
Also urogynecologist can help a woman cope with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the kidneys, which occurs in acute or chronic form, developing as a result of non-treatment of acute, or against other diseases: tonsillitis, some gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, influenza. Can be diagnosed accidentally, by urine analysis. Symptoms of pyelonephritis: fatigue, lack of appetite, unstable stool, dull pain in the lower back, increased pressure, pale skin. Pyelonephritis is successfully treated with drugs to improve immunity and antibiotics.
When sneezing and physical exertion after 35 years, women often experience urinary incontinence, and they seek help from a urogynecologist. Many women do not believe that they are ill, so do not seek help. However, this unpleasant state of modern medicine successfully treats both conservatively and surgically.
When should I go to the urogynecologist?
If you have urethritis, bartholinitis, chronic cystitis, chronic pyelonephritis or sexual dysfunction, contact a specialist-urogynecologist.
To cope with the symptoms of cystitis - the problem that most often forces women to go to the urogynecologist, sharp, fried, salted must be drunk, not to drink coffee and soda, it's better to just water without gas, to treat tonsillitis and caries, not to sit on cold ground or curb , warmly dress. Avoid disturbances in the stool and wash after visiting the toilet.
What kind of tests do I need to do when I go to the urogynecologist?
The urogynecologist may ask you to give a general blood test, urine test and a smear on the flora.
A general blood test is the first method of research for doctors of almost all specialties. And not in vain - for all its simplicity, it can be quite informative. For a general analysis, the blood is taken from the finger on an empty stomach. The number of erythrocytes, the hemoglobin index, the number of leukocytes and the leukocyte formula, the number of platelets, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation reaction - all this helps to clarify the UAC. The blood is collected in a vessel with a pipette after the puncture of the ring finger.
The number of erythrocytes shows the ability of tissues to feed on oxygen and to be cleared of carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin is contained in red blood cells, a decrease in its level also leads to oxygen starvation. High hemoglobin happens with dehydration.
Platelets help the blood to clot when the vessels are damaged. Elevated platelet counts occur after surgery and with a congenital tendency to form blood clots. The level of platelets is below the clinical norm - with congenital diseases of the blood and purpura, at which autoimmune damage of thrombocytes occurs.
Leukocytes are our defense against viruses, bacteria, parasites. Their high level happens with infections, and low speaks about the disease of blood. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells. High blood levels of lymphocytes occur with influenza virus, hepatitis, and low in AIDS.
The rate of erythrocyte sedimentation increases with inflammation and cancer.
Urinalysis can be prescribed by the urogynecologist for the detection of urological pathology. The specific gravity is normally 1020-1024 and reflects the ability of the kidneys to concentrate. In healthy people, the urine is transparent. Mucus in the urine indicates inflammation of the urinary system. The urine is normally weakly acidic or neutral. The alkalinization of urine occurs in diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure. Protein in urine should not be more than 0.033 g / l. An increase in the amount of protein indicates inflammation of the kidneys. When glucose is detected, it is possible to suspect diabetes mellitus.
What diagnostic methods does the urogynecologist use?
The urogynecologist uses such diagnostic methods as ureteroscopy, colposcopy, cystoscopy, CT, bacteriological culture.
Urethroscopy - examination of the urethra, which is performed under local anesthesia after emptying the bladder. The procedure is prescribed for chronic urethritis and urinary incontinence. During ureteroscopy, the doctor evaluates the mucous membrane of the urethra. The study lasts only a few minutes. The risk of hospital infection is minimized.
Colposcopy - examination of the cervix with a colposcope. Colposcopy is painless, since it is non-contact. It should be done ideally 1 time in six months.
Cystoscopy - examination of the evaluation of the state of the bladder, can also be prescribed by the urogynecologist for the diagnosis of cystitis. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a flexible or inflexible tube into the hole of the urethra. The duration of the procedure is 20-25 min. The urethra can be painful after cystoscopy for 2-3 days. If you took a tissue for a biopsy, there might be a slight short bleeding from this site.
CT of the urinary tract can pass with or without contrast medium. CT helps in the diagnosis of tumors, congenital anomalies, cysts and stones. CT is especially informative for urolithiasis, cysts and developmental anomalies.
What does the urogynecologist do?
Urogynecologist is a rare specialty in Ukraine, deals with problems of pelvic floor treatment in women: urinary incontinence, uterine and bladder dysfunction, kidney disease, urinary fistula. Without turning up, visit the office of the urogynecologist if it hurts when you go to the toilet in a small way, or if you have trouble with bladder emptying, prolonged pelvic pain, a feeling of uterine dysfunction, renal colic, malaise and back pain. Urogynecologist helps women with kidney pathology: hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, urinary incontinence.
Advices of a urologist
You may need the treatment of a urogynecologist if you are suffering from thirst and swelling, trouble urinating. If you experience pain when you urinate or it is very painful, we recommend that you pass a general urine test, a bucket of urine, kidney ultrasound and cystoscopy. Ask where the good urogynecologist is taking in your city, and contact him, perhaps, it is worth consulting with friends. On consultation, you must pay attention to whether the doctor is attentive to you, at the first meeting a good doctor will not prescribe treatment, only after a complete examination.
Urogynecologist is a combined specialist with a good knowledge of the physiology of the female genital and urinary systems, taking into account their close relationship.