Glossary
Please check back often as we will be updating and adding new terms regularly.
Anal Menometry — Anorectal manometry is a test performed to evaluate patients with constipation or fecal
incontinence. This test measures the pressures of the anal sphincter muscles, the sensation in the rectum, and the neural reflexes that are needed for normal bowel movements.
Anterior colporrhaphy — a vaginal procedure to reestablish the supports between the bladder and vagina to fix a cystocele. A synthetic mesh or organic graft material made be placed to reinforce this repair.
Bladder — a hollow muscular organ which stores urine.
Bladder Training — this treatment for urge incontinence involves teaching a patient to urinate according to a timetable rather than an urge to do so. Gradually, the scheduled time between trips to the bathroom is increased as the patient’s bladder control improves.
Biofeedback — this term refers to a variety of techniques that teach patients bladder and pelvic muscle control by giving positive feedback when the patient performs the desired action. This feedback can be from an electronic device or directly from health professional.
Catheter — a temporary rubber tube used to drain the bladder.
Colpocleisis — surgical obliteration or closure of the vagina for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
Colporrhaphy — this is a surgery to repair a prolapse in the vaginal wall, such a cystocele, rectocele, or enterocele.
Constipation — the incomplete emptying, inability or straining to have a bowel movement. Constipation is typically associated with hard, infrequent stools.
Cystitis — inflammation of the bladder.
Cystocele — a prolapse or bulging of the bladder into the vagina.
Cystoscopy — using a lighted scope to view the inside of the bladder.
Detrusor Instability — loss of urine before reaching the toilet due to unwanted bladder spasms.
Dyspareunia — painful sexual intercourse.
Dysuria — pain during urination.
Electrodiagnostic Testing of the pelvic Floor Muscles — (or electromyogram) — a test that evaluates nerve and muscle function of the pelvic floor.
Enterocele — prolapse or bulging of the small intestine into the space between the rectum and vagina.
Fecal Incontinence — accidental loss of solid stool, liquid stool or gas.
Fistula — abnormal connections from one organ to another. For example, an abnormal tract between the bladder and the vagina, resulting in uncontrolled loss of urine from the vagina or a tract between the rectum and vagina, causing passage of gas, or fecal material, in an uncontrolled manner, from the vagina.
Fibroids (leimyomas) — are benign (not cancer) growths in the uterus. They are the most common type of growth found in a woman’s pelvis. They occur in about 25 percent to 50 percent of all women.
Frequency — the need to urinate more frequently than normal (more frequently than every 2 hours or 7 times per day).
Hematuria — the presence of blood in the urine.
Hormone Replacement Therapy — hormones play an important role in bladder and bowel function, pelvic floor support and general well being. The use of hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and/or progesterone) must be individualized.
Hyterectomy — removel of the uterus. This procedure can be performed vaginally, abdominally, laparoscopically or robotically.
InterStim — see neuromodulation
Interstitial Cystitis — interstitial Cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome, is a pain disorder that is typically associated with symptoms of suprapubic pain related to bladder filling and accompanied by symptoms of urinary frequency in the absence of infections. Pain symptoms can include pressure, discomfort and/or burning in the urethral of vaginal areas.
Intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD) — see low pressure urethra.
Kegel Exercises — see pelvic floor exercises
Laparoscopic Surgery — a technique of surgery that utilizes a camera and scope and specialized instruments that allow the surgeon to use small incisions (about half an inch long) to perform surgery that would otherwise require larger incisions.
Low Pressure Urethra — when the urethra can no longer remain closed, allowing urine to leak. Also called intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD).
Menopause — permanent cessation of menstruation.
Mixed incontinence — having both stress and urge incontinence.
Neuromodulation — this is a new approach in the treatment of the overactive bladder, urinary retention and urinary frequency. Electrodes are surgically inserted into the nerves that control the bladder. For more information about this option
Nocturia — waking up frequently (more than once) during the night to urinate
Oophorectomy — removel of the ovaries.
Osteoprosis — a reduction of bone strength related to age, lack of estrogen, genetics and various medical problems.
Ovary — art of the female reproductive system, the ovaries are small, walnut-sized organs that produce eggs and hormones, including the primary female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
Overactive Bladder (OAB) — see urge incontinence
Paravaginal Repair (vaginal or abdominal) — support the vaginal wall by a ttaching it to the pelvic sidewall to fix a cystocele. A synthetic mesh or organic graft material made be placed to reinforce this repair.
Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation — vaginal or anal probes that deliver electrical current to the pelvic floor may be useful in the treatment of urge incontinence, stress incontinence and/or other pelvic floor disorders.
Pelvic Floor Exercises — also known as Kegel exercises are an effective treatment option for stress incontinence. Most women require guidance from a medical professional to learn how to contract the pelvic floor muscles correctly.
Pelvic Floor Muscles — muscles in the pelvis that support and help control the action of the vagina, the uterus, the bladder, the urethra, and the rectum.
Pelvic organs — collective term used for the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, bladder, urethra, and rectum.
Perimenopause — the period of life when production of estrogen and progesterone begins to decline, before ceasing altogether at menopause. This decline is not steady, but has many peaks and valleys of hormone levels, which in turn produces irregular periods and other changes.
Perineorrhaphy — (they have perineoplasty) — a surgical procedure to reconstruct the perineal body (the tissue near the opening of the vagina).
Perineoplasty – see perineorrhaphy.
Periurethral Injections — injection of material next to the opening of the bladder in an effort to prevent stress incontinence. This procedure is performed in the office.
Pessary — a silicone ring worn in the vagina like a diaphragm. Pessaries are used to support the vagina, bladder, rectum and uterus as necessary. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so a doctor or nurse must fit them.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse — when pelvic organs move or “drop” to a lower level in the pelvis because of poor support.
Posterior Colporrhaphy — a vaginal procedure to reestablish the supports between the vagina and rectum to fix a rectocele. A synthetic mesh or organic graft material made be placed to reinforce this repair.
Post Void Residual (PVR) — This test measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after voiding. It can be performed draining the bladder with a small catheter.
Rectocele — a prolapse or bulging of the rectum into the vagina.
Robotic Surgery — (da Vinci® Surgical System) — one of the most advanced technologies available in minimally invasive surgery. The da Vinci robotic system allows the precision, dexterity and control of traditional open surgery but requires only 1-2 cm incisions. The benefits for patients include less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications and less scarring. Robotic procedures include:
Sacral Colpopexy — a procedure (performed abdominally, robotically or laparoscopically) that attaches the top of the prolapsed vagina to the sacrum using either synthetic mesh or cadaveric material.
Salpinogo-ophorectomy — surgical removal of tubes and ovaries (performed either abdominally, vaginally or laparoscopically).
Stress Incontinence — involuntary loss of urine during activities that put “stress” on the bladder such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting, etc.
Suburethral Sling — a kind of surgery designed to correct stress urinary incontinence. A sling or hammock of material (synthetic mesh, organic materials, etc) is used to support the urethra and prevent leakage of urine with physical activity.
Suprapubic Catheter — a catheter placed into the bladder through the abdomen. This catheter is used to drain the bladder after surgery.
Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT) — a special type of sub-urethral sling that requires a less invasive procedure, which allows it to be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Tubal Ligation — removal or cutting the fallopian tubes to prevent further pregnancy.
Ureter — a pair of tubes, each leading from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra — a small narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
Urethral Diverticulum — a short section of the urethra that bulges outward creating a small pocket in which urine can collect. Patients with this problem may dribble urine after voiding.
Urge Incontinence — an involuntary loss of urine preceded by a strong urge (also known as “overactive bladder”).
Urgency — a powerful need to urinate immediately.
Urinalysis — a test that evaluates chemicals and cells in the urine.
Urinary Incontinence — leakage of urine.
Urinary Retention — the inability to empty the bladder completely. This problem can result from pelvic organ prolapse, surgery in the pelvic area, and other reasons.
Urine Culture — a test that determines whether a urinary tract infection (UTI) is present.
Urodynamics — a test that use a small catheter inserted in the bladder to study the function of the bladder during filling, leakage and urinating.
Uroflowmetry — a test that evaluated how well a bladder empties. This test involves sitting on a special commode and emptying your bladder as normally as possible. A computerized device under the commode measures the rate of urine flow and the flow pattern.
Urogynecologist — a physician who is a Board-Certified (or Board-Eligible) Obstetrician-Gynecologist, who has completed additional specialty fellowship training in the disorders of the pelvic floor and in pelvic reconstructive surgery.
Uterine Prolapse — prolapse or descent of the uterus into the vagina.
Vaginal Vault Prolapse — a condition that occurs in women who have previously undergone hysterectomy, in which, the ligaments which normally hold the upper vagina in place, have torn or weakened and allow the upper vagina to fold down into itself, or to protrude through the vaginal opening.
Vaginitis — various infections or inflammation of the vagina that can result in abnormal vaginal discharges, odor or symptoms of itching or burning.
Voiding — passage of urine out of the body.
Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) —
Voiding Dysfunction — a problem causing abnormal bladder emptying. Symptoms may include difficulty starting a urine stream or intermittent stream.
Vulvar Pain — pain in the area of the vaginal opening. This pain may include burning, itching, redness or cramping and/or pressure.
Vulvodynia — a pain syndrome that involves vaginal or vulvar pain. This pain may occur just with sex or it can become nearly continuous, that is unprovoked by sex, tampons or direct pressure.