- Tailored Treatment Options Provide Support for a Condition that Affects One in Five Women between 18 and 44 Years of Age
Urinary leakage during exercise, or when coughing, laughing, or sneezing, are not an inevitable result of ageing or pregnancy. Women should feel comfortable discussing these problems with their doctor, according to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s newly appointed female urologist.
Dr. Seema Sheth, the female urologist in the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, an integral part of Mubadala Health, says women now have a range of treatment options that can help address stress incontinence. These range from behavioral therapies, physical therapy, and various surgical treatments.
The new Female Urology Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides dedicated care for women with urological issues, including pelvic floor disorders, incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
“Urinary incontinence is more common in women than men and yet women are likely to suffer in silence. One of the main reasons is the normalization of it – women believe that it is normal to leak as you get older or once you have had children. But just because something is common, it does not mean that it is normal,” said Dr. Sheth.
“Another problem is that there are only a small number of female urologists in the UAE and women are often too embarrassed to share their urological health problems with a male physician,” she added.
Urinary incontinence affects about one in five women between 18 and 44 years of age and about 50 per cent of all women over the age of 65. Lifestyle, obesity, constipation, pregnancy and childbirth, and ageing are some of the common factors that can cause incontinence in women.
Dr. Sheth stresses that these conversations must begin at the primary care level. “Your primary care physician or gynecologist should ask about the issue when you have your regular checkup. Screening at these visits is essential because your primary care doctors can facilitate a referral. Patients must know that incontinence is common. They should not feel embarrassed to seek help.”
Patients referred to the Female Urology Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi undergo a complete history and physical examination. A tailored treatment plan is then drawn up to treat and manage the specific issue.
“Our multidisciplinary team takes into consideration a range of factors, such as medical history, age, type of incontinence and patient preference to customize a care plan that will give the patient optimum results. The solution can be as simple as some physical therapy and rehabilitation or we can recommend minimally invasive options that can effectively address the problem,” she said.
The Female Urology Program comprises of urologists, pelvic floor specialists, radiologists and a nursing team. The hospital offers treatments ranging from Botox to sacral neuromodulation for an overactive bladder, vaginal slings or fillers for stress incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse procedures. The program also runs a dedicated urodynamic clinic.
For more information or to book an appointment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, call 800 222 33, visit www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae or download the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi app.