wcw MARCH 2021 HR

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
PAID ADVERTORIAL
to go to the bathroom, but
then have trouble urinating.
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
PART OF THE GENESISCARE NETWORK
• SARASOTA •
3325 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
Urology Treatment Center
PART OF THE GENESISCARE NETWORK
• LAKEWOOD RANCH •
6310 Health Parkway, Suite 210
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: (941) 917-8488
MARCH 2021 WEST COAST WOMAN 11