The Urogynecology Center At VPFW

Women’s Health Services in Richmond, VA

The Urogynecology Center At VPFW

Incontinence and other female pelvic floor problems affect many activities

If you experience bladder control problems when you exercise, sneeze or even laugh, you’re not alone! It’s an extremely common problem – in fact more than 1 in 3 women will experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime.

You may also feel pain during intercourse or a bulging discomfort in your vagina. These are also common pelvic floor problems that can be the result of childbirth, menopause, genetics, health problems, or lifestyle factors like diet, caffeine intake, or physical exertion.

Many women who suffer from urinary incontinence (leaky bladder), pelvic organ prolapse (dropped bladder or uterus) or other pelvic floor issues think their only option is to just live with it. What a lot of women don’t realize is that many of these issues can be resolved through various urogynecology procedures at a Virginia urology or urogynecology center. At the Urogynecology Center at VPFW, our top-rated urogynecologists’ goal is to help you find relief . We offer a number of urogynecology services and will help you determine the best solution for you.

Urogynecology issues we treat:

• Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence – lack of bladder or bowel control and involuntary leakage when you cough, sneeze or exercise
• Overactive bladder – frequent and sudden urges to urinate even when your bladder is not full
• Pelvic organ prolapse – when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs (the uterus, bladder, or rectum) become weak or loose, allowing the pelvic organs to drop or press into the vagina. A pelvic exam will help us figure this out.
• Vaginal mesh complications – if you have already been treated with surgical mesh, you may need a revision
• Recurring urinary tract infections
• Recurring blood in urine

Our urogynecologists can help you find the treatment you need

While we’ve been considered the best urologist in Richmond VA, as urogynecologists, we specialize in treating women specifically Our top-rated urogynecologists will diagnose your condition and work with you to figure out the best treatment plan for you – from urodynamic testing, to physical therapy, to a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Both Dr. Ramzi Aboujaoude and Dr. Boyd Clary are board-certified urogynecologists who are well-established in the Virginia urology and urogynecology community. They are highly trained experts on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders and are passionate about helping their patients find relief.

“Dr. Aboujaoude is a very compassionate urogynecologist. He has provided me with the utmost care and concern. I had been searching for years to find someone to help me find relief for my urinary incontinence and prolapsed uterus.
He is a Godsend who keeps abreast with the latest technology and medical innovations. He is my hero!”
– Patient Survey Response, April 2020

“Dr. Clary is an exceptional physician. He is patient and takes the time to answer any and all questions thoroughly.
He is a highly trained and skilled surgeon. I am grateful to be in his care. It is a plus that he has great people skills and a terrific bedside manner. I trust him completely.”
-Patient Survey Response, February 2020

Urogynecology Center Locations

Call 804-897-2100 to schedule or request an appointment at one of our Urogynecology Center locations.

Southside Urogynecology Center – Dr. Ramzi Aboujaoude

Koger Center (formerly Midlothian Turnpike)

1212 Koger Center Blvd

North Chesterfield, VA 23235

Prince George / Colonial Heights

1775 Lake Harley Drive

Prince George, VA 23875

West End Urogynecology Center – Dr. Boyd Clary, III

St. Mary’s

5875 Bremo Road, Suite 201

Richmond, VA 23226

Henrico Doctors’

7605 Forest Avenue, Suite 206

Richmond, VA 23229

We’re happy to provide the best urogynecology and urology in Richmond VA and the surrounding areas.

When To See A Urogynecologist in Richmond, VA

The human body has a limited number of ways to tell you that there’s something wrong, which is why it’s difficult to diagnose based on one or two symptoms. Below are a few signs it’s time to visit the Urogynecology Center at Virginia Physicians for Women in Richmond, VA.

Chronic Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can be a sign of pelvic floor issues. The pelvic floor muscles support the lower back. For those who need to see a urogynecologist due to lower back pain, this can be a sign of an issue. A trip to the VPFW Center for Urogynecology can help resolve these issues.

Discomfort or Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Painful or uncomfortable sexual intercourse is always a cause to see a doctor. It’s important to have a doctor determine the cause of the issue to prevent further problems. Urologic care is important in determining the cause of your discomfort.

Pelvic Muscles Spasms

Pelvic muscle spasms occur when there are involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, vagina, rectum, and uterus. Sometimes the course of treatment for pelvic muscle spasms is posture improvement, but other treatments might be needed.

Pelvic Pressure

Sometimes, you may not feel pain but feel pressure in the pelvic region. This can be due to a number of causes such as uterine fibroids or an enlarged uterus, but pelvic pressure is often caused by pelvic organ prolapse. Our urogynecologists can diagnose the problem and help you find the right treatment for your lifestyle.

Incontinence Issues

Incontinence is a major reason to visit a physician specializing in urogynecology in Richmond, VA. A weak pelvic floor causes issues with bladder or bowel control and can make it difficult to properly empty your bladder or bowels. Incontinence issues affect people of all ages and are especially common among those who are obese, experience chronic constipation, or have given birth.

What Can I Expect At My First Urogynecologist Visit?

Your first visit will include a full physical and pelvic exam. We’ll talk about your history and find out why you’re here. We’ll inform you a little about female pelvic medicine and what we can do to help you.

The purpose of this exam is to learn more about what’s bothering you and how we can develop a plan to improve your quality of life.

Do Urogynecologists Perform Pap Smears?

It’s important to understand that Urogynecologists specialize in pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery to aid with incontinence and pelvic floor issues. While our urogynecologists are OB/GYNs and have performed many pap smears in their careers, it’s not typically something done at the Urogynecology Center at VPFW. A pap smear is performed by your OB/GYN to test for cervical cancer.

How Does A Urogynecologist Treat Pelvic Floor Issues?

There are several ways that we treat the issues our patients present to us. In some instances, it’s fairly easy to resolve the issue with special exercises, but other options include medication, injections, nerve stimulation, which is sometimes used to treat overactive bladder, and minimally invasive surgery.

Here are some of the things we’ll advise you to do when you seek urogynecology services in Richmond, VA.

Exercise

A urogynecologist can help you identify your pelvic floor muscles and prescribe exercises that can help you strengthen these muscles to improve your pelvic floor problems. Such exercises include kegels, squats, glute bridges and bird dogs. With Kegels, the individual contracts and relaxes their pelvic floor muscles three times daily. Bird dog exercises not only engage the pelvic core, but they also improve balance and stability. A urogynecologist may also refer you to a pelvic floor therapist who can help you continue to work on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.

Surgery

There are a few reasons why a urogynecologist would recommend surgery. Sometimes the pelvic floor becomes weakened to the point where it’s necessary to rebuild the pelvic floor support. Surgery is also necessary to repair any prolapse of the bladder, rectum, uterus, or vagina, or repair damage to muscles in the pelvic floor.

If you’re in need of urogynecology or urology services in Richmond VA, the Urogynecology Center at VPFW welcomes you. Our team of expert urogynecologists are the best out there and can provide you with treatment options to help you get your body back on track and feel like yourself again.