A Quiet Revolution in Women’s Healthcare
by Todd Richards, MD, FACOG
Published in the Miami News Record Get Active senior supplement
November/December 2009
Over the past fifteen years a quiet revolution in women’s health care has evolved. So quiet in fact, that most people are unaware of the miraculous advances in minimally invasive surgery, pelvic reconstruction (replacing a fallen bladder, bowel, uterus, or rectum), and surgery for incontinence. For many decades, medical advances were driven by healthcare research for men, including pharmaceuticals. For example, most of us are familiar with the gender bias regarding the “little blue pills” for male impotence. Not only are these types of medications covered by insurance, nothing similar exists for women.
More importantly, and fortunately for women, manufacturers of surgical and medical products have taken notice that approximately 85 million baby boomers will turn 65 in the next 20 years. The majority of boomers are women, and roughly 20 million of them will require some type of incontinence and/or pelvic reconstructive surgery. Sadly, most women are embarrassed and will not discuss these problems. Many will not tell their best friend or even their doctor unless asked.
Urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse are actually common problems, often resulting from childbirth and caesarean surgical procedures, hormonal changes, or even excess weight. Your pelvic floor, which holds the structures in your pelvis in place, is made up of sheets of muscle and ligaments. You can feel your pelvic floor tighten when you try to hold in urine. When the pelvic floor has weakened and given way, this will result in a condition called prolapse, in which the bladder, uterus, or other pelvic organs fall down from their normal position. In fact, one out of four women over age 40 suffers from urinary incontinence or prolapse and will need some type of surgical correction. Incontinence becomes even more common as we age, with more than one-half of all women over age 65 suffering from incontinence. Without treatment, the problem will usually become steadily worse.
Today’s new, advanced products and cutting-edge technology have resulted in solutions that are safe, more effective, and performed without a large incision and without the use of catheters. Furthermore, most of these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis or with the patient having to spend only one night in the hospital.
Advancements in women’s healthcare have made great strides, so there’s no need for women to suffer in silence anymore. Progressive technology and laparoscopic procedures have made incontinence and leaky bladders a thing of the past. Make sure your health professional is among those with this ground-breaking training and experience. In fact, more than ninety percent of inpatient procedures, including hysterectomies, can now be done with just a tiny laparoscopic incision and practically no scar. Patients can be treated for fibroids, excessive bleeding, pelvic floor reconstruction, and incontinence with this amazing cutting-edge technology.
There are safe, progressive, and effective treatments available exclusively for women. This may be a difficult subject for many, but it shouldn’t be. Urogynecology specialists help women living with incontinence and overactive bladders lead healthy, active lives, without having to worry about finding the closest bathroom. Successful treatment using these advanced techniques can help you gain control of your bladder again. For women who may be suffering, let’s end the silence. Talk to your doctor. You’ll be glad you did.
About Todd Richards, MD, FACOG:
Todd Richards, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologist specializing in urogynecology and gynecological surgery. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Women’s Healthcare Associates at 417.347.7009, Freeman Women’s Center, Joplin.