West Coast Woman October 2020

women’s health
Women’s Wellness
Is a 12 Month Commitment
The new year serves as a
reminder to women to make
their health a priority and
build positive health habits
for life. As women we should
be thinking about our health 365 days
a year. Intimate issues such as urinary
incontinence, sexual dysfunction and
pelvic pain can be hard to discuss.
I want to remind you that no issue is
too little or too big to talk about when
it is bothersome to you. As women, we
often compare ourselves to a friend, a
neighbor or a family member and forget
that we are all unique, we all individuals
and it’s personal. Your health is a lifelong
journey. It’s not always easy to take steps
to discuss intimate health issues.
Every woman needs to focus on her
own approach. Every woman needs a
purpose and to find her own motivation.
If you, like many other women,
have difficulty with urinary incontinence,
sexual dysfunction and/or pelvic
pain or if you want to learn more, see
me, Casie Wodzien, Nurse Practitioner,
at the Urology Treatment Center.
I specialize in the treatment of women’s
urological health issues and would
be happy to help you at our Sarasota or
Lakewood Ranch office. When you think
about pink, remember you are unique and
your health matters every single day of
the year. Your urological issues are not too
little or too big to discuss. Women’s wellness
and awareness always work together.
Many people are surprised to learn
that urology covers a wide range of
conditions for both men and women. In
addition to treating the male reproductive
system, urologists treat diseases and
conditions in the kidneys, bladder, and
urinary tract – all of which affect both
genders in all stages of life.
Women may experience urological
health issues that are unique to their
anatomy. While numerous urological
conditions can affect women of all ages
for a variety of reasons, childbirth, menopause
or a hysterectomy can alter the
body in ways that could lead to conditions
including pelvic floor weakness,
overactive bladder or inflammation of
the bladder wall (interstitial cystitis).
Fortunately, most conditions are highly
treatable, especially when caught early.
• Urinary Tract Infections/Bladder
Infections – Most women will
develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) at
some point in their lives. The infection
develops when bacteria enter the urinary
tract. Women with a UTI may have pain
or burning when they urinate. They may
also feel a sudden urge to go to the bathroom,
but then have trouble urinating.
PAID ADVERTORIAL
UTIs can be serious, but
they also can be treated
with antibiotics.
• Overactive Bladder
(OAB) – OAB is a condition
recognized by symptoms
including urinary
urgency, frequent urination,
waking up at least
twice a night to urinate or
urge incontinence (leakage
of urine). Treatments
range from medication or
nerve stimulation to Botox
injections or surgery. At least 30 million
Americans suffer from overactive
bladder.
• Urinary Leakage/Incontinence
– Millions of women experience involuntary
loss of urine, called urinary incontinence.
The condition affects all ages and
women of every social and economic
level, though urinary incontinence
occurs more often in older women than
in young women. The condition can
be driven by stress or by a weakness in
bladder or pelvic floor muscles and can
be treated with a variety of approaches,
depending on severity.
• Pelvic Floor Weakness/Vaginal
Prolapse/”Dropped Bladder” – Pelvic
floor prolapse occurs when the upper
portion of the vagina loses its normal
shape and sags or drops down into the
vaginal canal or even outside of the vaginal
opening. There are several types of
pelvic floor prolapse including bladder,
rectum, small bowel and uterus. It’s wise
not to let the condition go on too long,
as most worsening pelvic floor prolapses
can only be fully corrected with surgery.
• Pelvic Pain/Interstitial Cystitis –
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a long-term
inflammation of the bladder wall, also
called painful bladder syndrome. Its symptoms
are very similar to a urinary tract
infection, such as urinary urgency and/or
pelvic pain, but lack an identifiable cause
such as bacterial infection. In the past, IC
was believed to be a relatively uncommon
problem, but now it is thought to affect
up to 12 percent of women.
Though women can be reluctant to talk
about these sensitive issues, it is important
to share details with and seek treatment
from a certified
urologist. Not doing
so not only diminishes
your quality of life,
but can put you at
serious risk.
SOURCE:
Casie Wodzien,
MS, APRN, ANP-
BC, Urology
Treatment Center.
Casie Wodzien,
MSN, APRN, ANP-BC
Urology Treatment Center
• SARASOTA •
3325 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
Urology Treatment Center
• LAKEWOOD RANCH •
6310 Health Parkway, Suite 210
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: (941) 917-8488
12 WEST COAST WOMAN OCTOBER 2020