{"id":3345,"date":"2021-02-01T16:46:11","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T21:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/atlanticurologyclinics.com\/?p=3345"},"modified":"2022-07-27T16:35:49","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T20:35:49","slug":"urological-conditions-common-with-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atlanticurologyclinics.com\/blog\/urological-conditions-common-with-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Urology Conditions Common With Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most people don’t realize it, but urological conditions are just as common among women as they are in men. As a result, many women resign themselves to just living with what are actually very treatable conditions. Read on to find out about the most common urological conditions impacting women and how a urologist can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

OAB<\/b><\/h2>\n

Overactive Bladder<\/span><\/a> (OAB) affects men and women equally. OAB is technically a group of symptoms, not a disease in its own right. The most common of these symptoms is a sudden, pressing need to urinate. Some women with OAB wake up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom and many experiences some incontinence alongside other OAB symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diagnosing OAB in women usually requires the help of a doctor who specializes in <\/span>urology<\/span><\/a>. When women arrive for their appointments, they can expect to undergo a physical exam and urine testing. Most patients will also be asked to keep a bladder diary. Some may need to undergo additional tests, such as cystoscopies or urodynamic testing, to rule out other conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several courses of treatment for OAB. Many women find that lifestyle changes alone are enough to positively impact their conditions. Some are also prescribed medications or Botox treatments while others undergo nerve stimulation. It’s rare for patients to require surgery for OAB.<\/span><\/p>\n

IC\/Bladder Pain Syndrome<\/b><\/h2>\n

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) and<\/span> interstitial cystitis<\/span><\/a> (IC) are two terms for the same problem. Women with this condition experience pain and pressure in their bladders without any clear cause. Symptoms range in severity and become chronic when they last for more than six weeks, even if they come and go. Many women with IC\/BPS also experience other urological symptoms or underlying health problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Technically, both men and women can be diagnosed with IC\/BPS. However, at least two to three times as many women experience this problem as men. Researchers have yet to uncover what causes IC\/BPS, so there are no definitive diagnostic tests for it. A urologist will have to rule out other problems that could be causing the symptoms before making a diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

There’s no one treatment plan that works for every IC\/BPS patient. Most interventions are aimed at symptom control. Urologists typically begin by prescribing lifestyle changes before moving on to prescription drugs and neuromodulation therapy. If these interventions don’t work, cyclosporine and surgery are also viable options for some patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pelvic Organ Prolapse<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pelvic organ prolapse<\/span><\/a> is a condition that affects the walls and muscles of the vagina and other adjacent organs. This condition is most common in postpartum women who experience injuries to their pelvic floor muscles during childbirth, but it can also occur following other strenuous activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include feelings of discomfort while sitting and the development of a vaginal bulge. Incontinence, frequent need to urinate, and pain in the lower abdomen can also accompany this disorder. Diagnosis requires a series of tests and imaging studies, often including:<\/span><\/p>\n