Our experts care for women’s conditions 

Have you ever laughed at a good joke or sneezed, only to discover that you’ve leaked a little from your bladder?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. In fact, up to one in three women will face an issue such as that. 

The good news is, in most cases, our Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery team can easily improve your quality of life and eliminate those sometimes embarrassing moments. For more complex cases, take comfort knowing that our surgeons are at the leading edge in developing innovative surgical and related treatments. No matter what your diagnosis might be, you’ll get the care you need – and deserve. 

As pioneers in medical care, we bring you the latest advancements in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (also referred to as urogynecology), a surgical subspecialty of urology & gynecology. We focus on women’s conditions related to the pelvic floor, including the vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum. Our experts specialize in treating the entire pelvic floor with a multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in urogynecology, urology, colorectal, surgery, physical therapy, gastroenterology and nursing.

We take a holistic approach

We focus specifically on women’s conditions related to the pelvic floor – that means we treat issues that touch on the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue between the vagina, bladder, uterus and rectum. Why is that important? Because these conditions often involve multiple portions of the pelvic floor. For example, you might come to us thinking you have a bladder issue, but our surgeons have the advanced training and deep experience to drill beyond initial symptoms and find out exactly what’s happening in your body. Oftentimes, you’re suffering from something slightly more complicated that needs our accurate diagnosis.

As part of your treatment here at VCU Health, we collaborate with experts in related fields – gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, physical therapy and more – to treat you holistically, so you get the right care in one place right from the start. Our approach to comprehensive pelvic health care is unique not only in Richmond, but throughout Virginia.

All you need to do is concentrate on getting back to enjoying your daily life.

Common conditions treated

Women of all ages come to us with different needs, often thinking their conditions are the result of our aging process. For some, the muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic floor might have been damaged, such as from the stress of childbirth or after menopause. Others might have issues related to genetics.

Our team can help you find the best option to address your problem, because you shouldn’t suffer in silence or accept that you have to live with it. No matter how common or complex, our team can treat:

• Incontinence: The official medical term for when you unexpectedly leak a little from your bladder or bowels, such as when you laugh or sneeze.
• Emptying disorders: Includes trouble emptying your bladder all the way or difficulty with bowel movements.
• Pelvic organ prolapse: When your organs – uterus, rectum, bladder or vagina – fall out of their normal position.
• Daily quality of life issues: Recurrent and acute urinary tract infections; overactive bladders; fistulas, which are abnormal passages within the pelvic floor; and hematuria, when blood appears in the urine.
• Vaginal mesh complications: Implanted mesh that is no longer effective or are causing other pelvic health issues.

Our specialists will recommend the treatment that is best for you, ranging from conventional therapies to surgical reconstruction, often with minimally invasive approaches. Our team continues to research new science that is redefining pelvic treatments for all women, but we take care of our patients, one woman at a time.

To learn more, we have a free educational guide, "Understanding Pelvic Floor Conditions." Download it for a closer look at these disorders and to learn more about the treatment options available to you. You will get answers to common questions like:

• Does my primary care doctor need to diagnose me?
• Is surgery even necessary?

Contact us

Our services are offered at three VCU Health locations in the Richmond area: Adult Outpatient Pavilion, Stony Point and GreenGate. To set up an appointment or refer a patient, call us at (804) 323-1180.

Directions and parking

Click here for information about parking at VCU Medical Center and the Adult Outpatient Pavilion, our valet service, and the Patient and Visitor Parking Deck.