Sixty-five percent of women nationwide suffer from urinary incontinence or pelvic pain and wait needlessly up to seven years to obtain treatment. Steven D. Kleeman MD, director for the division of Urogynecology and director of the Fellowship in Urogynecology at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, aims to change that.
Kleeman specializes in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery, a branch of gynecology that treats bladder and pelvic floor disorders. He is one of the nation's Top 10 busiest surgeons who perform robotic surgery for women with vaginal prolapse. Kleeman offers three signs that indicate a woman should seek assessment and medical treatment:
Overactive bladder or incontinence
Frequent urination and leakage cause women to limit physical activity. Some women experience incontinence as early as their 20s, but typical patients are active women in their 40s who have given birth to two or three children and begin to feel pelvic pressure or fullness, or as if something is 'falling' in the vaginal area, says Kleeman. "If you are afraid of leakage when you walk, run, or even sneeze, then you need to seek help," he says.
Pelvic pressure or lower back pain which gets better when lying down
"Women who feel a sense of pelvic pressure or fullness may be experiencing vaginal prolapse, the equivalent of a vaginal hernia," says Kleeman. "It can be dramatically helped through physical therapy or noninvasive surgery."
Pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse
Pain is always a sign something is wrong, says Kleeman. "Help is readily available. Physical therapy and non-invasive surgery help women regain their active lifestyles and put the spring back in their steps."
Kleeman is always gratified to talk to patients who regain the ability to do the things they enjoy again. "Women feel excited and empowered after they get relief from their symptoms," he says.
Dr. Steve Kleeman MD is director of TriHealth Cincinnati Urogynecology Associates, which offers physical therapy treatment and state-of-the-art robotic surgery for women with prolapse, enabling them to regain comfort and the confidence to lead physically-active lives. For more information about Cincinnati Urogynecology Associates, call 513 463 4300 or visit www.CincinnatiUrogynecology.com.