If you are experiencing urinary tract problems, Daniel J. Cosgrove, MD, FACS, at the office of Daniel J Cosgrove MD in Encino, California, can help care for your female urology needs. They treat a wide range of female urological conditions, including incontinence, pelvic prolapse, and overactive bladder. To learn more about your treatment options, call the office of Daniel J Cosgrove MD today to book an appointment.
request an appointmentWhat is female urology?
Female urology is specialized care to diagnose and treat women who are experiencing urinary problems or other disorders of their urinary tract.
Many urological conditions, such as kidney stones and bladder cancer, affect men and women. However, as the male and female urinary tracts differ, treating female urology conditions involves specific treatments and knowledge.
What conditions does female urology treat?
Dr. Cosgrove treats a wide range of female urology conditions. The main ones include:
Urinary incontinence
Incontinence is the leakage of urine and can affect you in two ways. One is stress incontinence, where urine leaks if you cough, sneeze, or put some other kind of pressure on your bladder. Urge incontinence causes a sudden need to urinate that you are unable to control, so urine leaks before you can get to a toilet.
Overactive bladder
If you have an overactive bladder, you experience the need to urinate frequently at night and sometimes during the day. You might suffer urge incontinence with an overactive bladder.
Pelvic prolapse
The organs in your pelvis can drop down into the vagina and could protrude through the vaginal opening.
Recurring UTIs
UTIs (urinary tract infections) are more common in women. Some experience repeated attacks of cystitis and other infections.
Dr. Cosgrove can also treat interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome, which involves feeling pain and/or pressure in the bladder area as well as urinary tract symptoms for more than six weeks.
When should I visit a specialist in female urology?
You should visit Dr. Cosgrove if you have symptoms such as:
- Blood in your urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Frequent UTIs
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Urine leakage
Symptoms will vary depending on the underlying issue you are facing. If you can feel a lump or you have problems with sexual intercourse due to a blockage in your vagina, it could be a prolapse. But certain symptoms can be similar indications of other conditions, so you should schedule a visit to Dr. Cosgrove to make sure you have a professional diagnosis.
How are female urology problems treated?
How female urology problems are treated will depend on the cause of your condition. UTIs might require antibiotics. Pelvic floor therapy can benefit many female urology conditions. Other non-surgical treatments include:
- Bladder training
- Bladder support devices
- Medications
- Botox® injections
- Pessaries
- Urethral bulking
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)
Surgery might be necessary for some patients. No matter what female urological condition you may be dealing with, Dr. Cosgrove can diagnose and walk through all your treatment options to help you decide how to best proceed. He can also refer you out to specialists as needed.
To find out how Dr. Cosgrove can help you, call the office of Daniel J Cosgrove MD to book an appointment today.