Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Hospital
When it’s no laughing matter: Don’t let bladder control hold you
back from maintaining a healthy lifestyle
According to the Urology Care Foundation, as many as
1 in 3 adults – more than 80 percent of them women – have
bladder control issues. Bladder control issues, or stress
urinary incontinence (SUI), can occur when an activity – like
laughing or sneezing – causes urine to leak out. Beyond
the medical problem, it can have a significant emotional,
psychological and social impact on those who suffer from
it. The good news is that, in most cases, SUI can be treated
successfully.
While SUI is more common among older women, there are
several factors that contribute to the stretching, weakening,
or damaging of the pelvic floor muscles:
• Being Caucasian or Hispanic
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Pregnancy and childbirth
Treatment for SUI has a high rate of success. While
the average time a woman waits to seek treatment for
incontinence is seven years, research shows that the earlier
the treatment is started, the more successful the results.
After getting your medical history and conducting a physical
exam, your PCP or uro-gynecologist will discuss possible
lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and conservative
therapies, like pelvic floor strengthening exercises. In some
instances, reconstruction of the pelvic floor using minimally
invasive or more complicated surgical techniques may be
an option.
To make an appointment with a PCP or a urogynecologist,
contact 412.DOCTORS (362.8677).
Spotlight on: Spyros Marinis, MD
Urogynecology
Dr. Marinis
received his
medical degree
from National
University of
Athens School
of Medicine,
completing
his residency
at Winthrop
University
Hospital and The
Brooklyn Hospital
Center and his
fellowship at
The University
of Texas
Southwestern
Medical Center.
Spyros Marinis, MD
Board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Marinis heads
a comprehensive, state-of-the-art female pelvic medicine
and reconstructive surgery practice that focuses on a multidimensional approach to pelvic issues. Well-published and
a frequent presenter on women’s pelvic issues, Dr. Marinis
concentrates on rehabilitation in conjunction with physical
therapy, with pelvic reconstructive surgery as the last option.
To make an appointment with Dr. Marinis, contact
412.DOCTORS (362.8677).
Jefferson Hospital · 565 Coal Valley Road · Jefferson Hills, PA 15025
Contact us at AHn.org or call 412.DOCTORS (412.362.8677)