Most women see an obstetrician or gynecologist regularly. Some men (and women) may seek treatment from a urologist. But what in the world is a urogynecologist?
Put simply, urogynecology blends the specialties of gynecology and urology. A urogynecologist is a subspecialist who diagnoses, manages and treats pelvic health conditions in women.
About 1 in 4 women struggle with pelvic health conditions such as:
- Urinary incontinence – Urine leakage when you cough, laugh or sneeze
- Overactive bladder – Spasms of the bladder that cause a sudden urge to urinate, followed by leakage.
- Bowel control disorders – Including constipation, bowel leakage or fecal incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse – A dropping of the pelvic organs caused by the loss of normal support of the vagina
At Grand View Health, urogynecologist Luis Espaillat, MD, offers women with pelvic disorders many treatment options. He specializes in minimally invasive female pelvic reconstruction and repairs using minimally invasive procedures including da Vinci® robotic surgery system. Women who undergo robotically assisted procedures typically experience less pain, less hospital time and a faster recovery.
Dr. Espaillat is board-certified in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Temple University and a Fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (urogynecology) at the Cleveland Clinic.
The female pelvic health program at Grand View also includes Gabrielle Abate, a physical therapist trained in stress incontinence and other conditions related to pelvic health. She helps women manage the symptoms of pelvic health conditions through exercise and non-surgical therapies.