Female Urology | Urology

Urology

Female Urology

Urinary issues aren’t something you have to live with. At UC Davis Health, we offer the latest minimally invasive treatments to help you find lasting relief and regain your quality of life.

Medically reviewed by Marc Dall'Era, M.D. on Dec. 13, 2023.

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Advanced Urology Care for Women

The specialists at our female urology program provide the full range of care for all urinary, bladder and pelvic floor disorders in women. Our breadth of expertise includes common issues such as stress incontinence and overactive bladder, as well as vaginal mesh complications, pelvic organ prolapse and other complex or recurring conditions.

We know that urologic issues can be painful and embarrassing. We also understand that urinary symptoms have a major effect on your quality of life. Our urologists work with you to select treatments that meet your needs and goals so you feel confident again.

Our Difference

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National Recognition

U.S. News & World Report has recognized us as a High Performing Hospital in urology. This rating means that our outcomes and the quality of our patient care exceed national averages.

Minimally Invasive Treatments

We specialize in noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments for female urology problems. Surgeons use both robotic and laparoscopic techniques to treat overactive bladder and pelvic organ prolapse. These approaches use smaller incisions, so you recover faster and with less pain.

Multispecialty Care

You receive treatment recommendations from multiple specialists, all under one roof. Urologists, urogynecologists, gastrointestinal surgeons and physical therapist work together to deliver total urologic care.

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What Is Female Urology?

Female urology is a subspecialty of urology that focuses on diagnosing and treating urinary conditions in women. Sometimes this area of medicine is called urogynecology or female pelvic medicine.

Our urologists have additional fellowship training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. They care for urinary conditions of your urethra and bladder, as well as pelvic conditions of your uterus, cervix and vagina. These conditions are called pelvic floor disorders.

Urologic Conditions in Women Can Include:

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is urine leakage when you sneeze, cough or exercise. It’s the result of weak pelvic floor muscles, which support your bladder and urethra. Aging, pregnancy, past surgeries, nerve injuries and other issues can contribute to stress urinary incontinence.

Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a group of symptoms that cause frequent urination or a persistent urge to urinate. Some people with an overactive bladder also have incontinence (accidental urine leakage). Nerve damage to your bladder, childbirth, weak pelvic floor muscles or other bladder problems can lead to OAB.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one of your pelvic organs (usually your bladder or uterus) drops and bulges into your vagina. It can happen due to childbirth, aging or hormonal changes. Pelvic pressure, a visible bulge in your vagina and incontinence are the most common symptoms.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can develop if bacteria enter your urethra (tube that carries urine out of your body). UTIs are common, but some women get multiple UTIs over a short period of time. You’re at a higher risk for frequent UTIs if you have multiple sexual partners, are on medications that lower your immune system or have urinary tract abnormalities.

Urinary Fistulas

A fistula is an abnormal opening between two organs. In women, fistulas are most common between the bladder and vagina (vesicovaginal fistula). Sometimes they occur between the urethra and vagina (urethrovaginal fistula).  Urinary fistulas cause urine to leak out of your vagina. Surgery or other medical treatments in your pelvic area can cause fistulas.

Vaginal Mesh Complications

Some surgeries for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence use synthetic mesh to reinforce your pelvic organs. You may experience complications if the mesh breaks down or shifts into your vagina. Symptoms of vaginal mesh complications can include pain, infections, bleeding or urinary tract symptoms.

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Our Specialty Areas

We offer the full range of treatments and services to evaluate and address any urinary issue in women. At UC Davis Health, you receive compassionate care from a multispecialty team. Our doctors take the time to find out how urinary issues are affecting your life. We work with you to make a care plan that meets your needs and goals.

Our specialty areas include:

Advanced Urodynamic Testing

Urodynamic tests are procedures that evaluate how well your bladder and lower urinary tract work. We offer the latest urodynamic tests to check for urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. We specialize in multichannel video urodynamic testing. This approach combines multiple tests into one procedure to measure how well your bladder fills and empties in real time.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Urinary Tract Problems in Women

Not all urinary tract problems require surgery. In many cases, we can help you find relief with a combination of conservative treatments. You may benefit from changing your fluid intake or eating habits. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help you improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles. Medications, injections or pessaries (devices inserted in your vagina to reinforce pelvic organs) are other nonsurgical treatments.

Minimally Invasive Urogynecologic Surgery

Our surgeons use the least invasive techniques possible to treat urinary issues in women. We specialize in laparoscopic and robotic pelvic prolapse surgery, which use small incisions and help you recover faster. Our team also has expertise in complex reconstructive urologic procedures and mesh-free prolapse repair.

Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation is a minimally invasive surgery for stress incontinence or overactive bladder. We implant a small device under your skin that stimulates the nerves that control bladder function.

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Awards and Recognitions
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Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)

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Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.

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The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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World-class cancer care

One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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A leader in health care equality

For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.

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