Female urology is a subspecialty of urology that treats and evaluates individuals suffering from urine incontinence, urological disorders, and urinary tract reconstruction. Female urology is a specialization of urology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract problems that are more common in women. Urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse, voiding dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infection, urethral syndrome, and interstitial cystitis are examples of these conditions. A detailed history and physical examination are part of an expert evaluation of these disorders. To properly analyze the urinary tracts, urodynamics (bladder function test) and imaging investigations may be performed. Additional bladder examinations, such as a cystoscopy, may be required.
Female urology is a sub-specialty of urology that deals with a variety of female-specific issues such as urine incontinence, overactive bladder, and pelvic organ prolapse. A female urologist specializes in treating these disorders and is well-versed in the female pelvic floor. Urological disorders that affect both sexes, including urinary tract infections (UTI), cystitis, kidney stones, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer, can be treated by them.
Conditions commonly treated within female urology include: –
- Urinary incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Pelvic prolapse
- Pelvic floor problems
- Urinary tract infections
- Cystitis
- Kidney stones
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
Women should see a urologist who specialises in female urological problems if they experience any of the following symptoms: –
- Blood in their urine;
- Abdominal or pelvic pain;
- Cloudy urine;
- A frequent urge to urinate;
- Pain or a burning sensation when urinating;
- Frequent urinary tract infections; and
- Urinary leakage.
The involuntary loss of urine is known as incontinence. Stress (leakage caused by straining, coughing, or sneezing), urge, mixed, overflow, functional, or reflex incontinence are the various types of incontinence. The type of incontinence determines the treatment. Dietary adjustments, scheduled voiding, bladder retraining, pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, electrical stimulation therapy, medication, collagen implants, and minimally invasive surgery are some of the current treatments available.
Voiding disorder can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination, and/or inadequate bladder emptying are the most common symptoms. The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Medication or pelvic floor relaxation exercises may be used to treat the condition.
Three or more infections in a year can be called recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). This could be idiopathic (meaning there is no clear reason) or connected to a urologic condition such as stones, tumours, reflux (when urine travels backward toward the kidney), or inadequate bladder emptying. The goal of treatment is to determine the reason and/or administer appropriate antibiotic therapy to interrupt the cycle of recurring infection.
Urethral syndrome is a condition involving pain at the urethra that can occur during urination or without regard to urination. Treatment may consist of oral medication or local oestrogen replacement therapy. Urethral syndrome may exist as a component of interstitial cystitis.
Excessive urine urgency, frequency, nocturia (nighttime urination), and pain in the lower abdomen and/or perineum are all symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC). It can strike anyone at any age, however, the median age upon diagnosis is between 42 and 46. The exact cause of IC is unknown. It’s thought to be linked to bladder lining abnormalities and/or an allergic/immune reaction. IC can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
Medication like Elmiron, which acts to restore the normal function of the bladder lining, is a promising breakthrough in the treatment of IC. Other medications that have a relaxing impact on the bladder could be beneficial as well. Instillations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) into the bladder have had varying degrees of success. Under anaesthesia, hydrodistention of the bladder is a routine therapeutic and diagnostic technique. Surgery such as denervation, urine diversion, and augmentation cystoplasty may be undertaken in the most severe cases.
