Sometimes when we talk about urology, we mistakenly think that it is a medical specialty only for men. However, women should also go to the urologist for periodic check-ups or when a problem arises, for example, in the bladder, kidneys or urethra.
Many women frequently suffer from urinary problems, such as urinary tract infections, as do men, so it is the urologist who should be consulted when this occurs.
Main conditions treated in urology in women
Women should visit a urology office when they have conditions or pathologies related to the urinary tract. Some of the most frequent problems are:
- Kidney problems, mainly renal lithiasis or kidney stones.
- Urine infections.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Bladder prolapse.
- Bladder or kidney cancer.
Urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence are the main reasons for women to consult a urologist.
Urinary tract infections occur more frequently in women of reproductive age. These infections are caused by the invasion of microorganisms in the urinary tract; generally bacteria, although they can also be viruses, fungi or parasites.
Depending on age, UTIs can occur in women for different reasons:
- In young women, the main reasons for urinary tract infection are: having previously suffered a urinary tract infection, or having had sexual intercourse.
- Urinary tract infections often occur in women after menopause if they have suffered from it previously in their fertile years.
Urinary incontinence is less common than urinary tract infections but also occurs consistently in many women.
What is urinary incontinence and why does it affect more women than men?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This is not a normal part of aging and can be treated. Women go through specific instances with their health, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, which can affect the urinary tract and surrounding muscles. The pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, urethra, uterus and bowel can become weak or damaged. When the muscles that support the urinary tract are weak, they must work harder to hold back urine until you are ready to urinate. The extra strain and pressure on the bladder and urethra can cause urinary incontinence or leakage.
In addition, the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. Any weakening or damage to a woman's urethra is more likely to cause urinary incontinence. This is because there is less muscle to hold urine until you are ready to urinate.
How is urinary incontinence treated?
In our center we offer different treatment options for urinary incontinence. In collaboration with our pelvic floor rehabilitation specialist, we evaluate each case in a personalized way to offer the best solution.
There are non-surgical options such as kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and depending on the case we also offer the option of surgery for the implantation of a mesoureteral sling which is designed to provide a support tape under the urethra to prevent leakage during physical activity.
In this video, our Dr. Rubén Cutanda Puigvert, specialist in women's urology and incontinence, explains how this surgery is performed.
If you want to make an appointment with him:
☎️ Call us at 629 334 583
💬If you want more information write us at info@urologiayandrologia.com
🌐Ask for an appointment: https://urologiayandrologia.com/pedir-cita/
📍We are located at Av. José Mesa y López, 54. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain.