Gynecology Services Offered at St Joseph Medical Center
We believe that healthcare should start well before the operating room. Many women’s health issues can be caught early on or prevented entirely when women are educated and current on their health exams.
As your body goes through natural changes over the years, you may have questions. Our gynecologists and physicians are more than happy to address your questions and provide you with the resources that you need to make smart, healthy decisions.
Whether you’re concerned about your teenager’s health or need support transitioning into your post-menopausal years, the Women’s Center at St. Joseph Medical Center is here to provide assistance to females of all ages in your family:
- Teen Health
- Contraception Counseling & Management
- Family Planning Services
- Sex Education
Urinary Incontinence
According to a survey of 6,000 women, 45% of all women are challenged with urinary incontinence. And, if you think that they’re all over the age of 65, think again. The condition affects:
- 28% of women ages 30 to 39
- 41% of women ages 40 to 49
- Close to half of all women over 50
- 55% of women ages 80 to 90
What you might find even more surprising is that substantial and oftentimes total relief is available for 80% of those women. If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, know that you’re not alone.
While each woman experiences her urinary incontinence differently, there are three general types of urinary incontinence.
- Overflow Incontinence: Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder doesn’t properly empty. You may feel the need to urinate often, but find yourself unable to do so. The bladder then gets very full and urine leaks out in small amounts. Typically, the underlying issue is blockage of the urethra or the opening to the bladder. Sometimes nerve or muscle problems may prevent the bladder from contracting and completely emptying.
- Urge Incontinence: Urge incontinence, also known as “overactive bladder,” occurs when the bladder feels full even when it’s close to empty. If you frequently feel a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, then you may have urge incontinence, which could be caused by infection, a nerve problem, or a growth in the bladder.
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): If you leak urine when sneezing, coughing, laughing, or during other similar activities, then you may be suffering from SUI. Typically, the cause is weak bladder muscles.