Gynecology

Women experiencing gynecologic issues, such as pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, can be treated at hospitals and clinics throughout Kansas City and the surrounding area. In addition to routine gynecology surgery, we perform minimally invasive robotic surgeries whenever possible.

For complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robotic surgery is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for many patients. Through tiny incisions, surgeons can operate with greater precision and control than what's possible with traditional surgery. This process minimizes the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.

As many as one in four women who are 18 years old or older have problems with bladder control or pelvic pain. We offer several advanced, highly effective options to treat these issues, from specialized physical therapy and exercise to robot-assisted surgical repair.

Our pelvic floor program is one of the most advanced and highly specialized in the region. We treat:

• Bladder and bowel control problems
• Complications from childbirth
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic structure issues, such as a prolapsed uterus
• Symptoms of adhesions and other pelvic conditions

Our physicians are board certified, fellowship trained and highly experienced in treating pelvic floor conditions. They work closely with our physical therapists, who use a range of techniques to provide comprehensive care, including:

• Biofeedback to help manage and control pain and other symptoms
• Interferential current therapy for treatment at the site of pain
• Targeted exercises that build pelvic floor strength and core muscle
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to treat pain and pelvic floor contractions

We also specialize in care combining expertise in urology and gynecology. We offer a range of treatment options, including physical therapies, surgical procedures and alternative methods to treat bladder and pelvic floor conditions.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a fancy name for the accidental release of urine. Life changes such as pregnancy and childbirth, gaining weight and aging can weaken the tissues in the bladder, leading to the occasional accident.

The two most common types of UI are urgency incontinence and stress incontinence. Urgency incontinence is that “gotta go, gotta go” sensation, or the feeling of badly having to go to the bathroom. Stress incontinence is the leaking of urine while coughing, sneezing, running, jumping or laughing.

Urgency incontinence

Urgency incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• A disability or limitation that makes it difficult to get to the toilet quickly
• Bladder conditions, such as interstitial cystitis (chronic bladder inflammation)
• Inability to empty the bladder completely
• Nerve damage that affects bladder control
• Overactive bladder muscles
• Side effects from a prior surgery
• Weakened pelvic floor muscles/support

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when there is an unexpected leakage of urine caused by pressure or sudden muscle contractions on the bladder. Stress incontinence is the most common bladder control problem in young and middle-aged women. The condition may be due to an inherent weakness of the pelvic floor muscles or an effect from the changes that occur in pelvic support after childbirth. In menopausal women, stress incontinence can begin to occur because a drop in estrogen can cause weakening of the pelvic floor.

The best treatment depends on the type of UI. The condition can be treated with bladder retraining, pelvic floor therapy, biofeedback or medications. For stress incontinence, pelvic floor therapy and Kegel exercises can have an impact. However, most women with stress incontinence will find that their biggest improvement comes from a simple, 15-minute outpatient procedure, which has a very low risk rate and a very high success rate.