Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery

Help for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Do you leak urine with activity or while laughing or coughing? Look for the nearest bathroom more frequently than not? Feel like something just isn’t right “down there”? Get up to use the restroom many times at night? These are all signs of a pelvic floor disorder. And while some women may find pelvic floor disorders manageable, others experience significant life changes. It’s a personal issue that many hesitate to discuss, even with close friends or family.

The good news is, you don’t have to live with it. And it’s not a normal part of aging. We’re here to help improve your quality of life, offering a range of solutions for your pelvic floor concern tailored to your needs. We’re ready to guide you in finding the right solution(s) for you.

In case you missed it, Dr. Hilary Frank recently hosted a webinar on a range of lifestyle, non-surgical, and surgical methods to help you gain control of your bladder. Take the first step to learn more. Watch the webinar today.

Our Bladder and Bowel Services

When you’re ready to take the next step, it’s natural to want to explore all your options—and fortunately, there are many. Advances in our understanding of pelvic health and new technologies have expanded treatment possibilities.

We encourage this exploration and offer a wide range of lifestyle modifications, non-surgical treatments, and surgical solutions. Our team is experienced in thorough evaluation and diagnosis, and we take the time to understand your individual needs to find a treatment that fits both you and your lifestyle.

Why Choose Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota?

Expertise: Our board-certified urogynecologists, gynecologists, and reconstructive surgeons have extensive training and subspecialty experience in managing complex pelvic floor disorders. That means much of our daily practice is dedicated to just people with bladder and bowel concerns. Our team includes two fellowship-trained surgeons in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS).

Team approach: We approach your care holistically. That’s why nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, and dieticians who understand bladder and bowel concerns are part of the team.

Comprehensive care: From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, we provide a full spectrum of care tailored to your needs.

State-of-the-art technology and techniques: We use the most advanced diagnostic and surgical technology to ensure the best outcomes for our patients, include da Vinci robotics and minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Patient-centered: It’s starts with the understanding that you are the most important person in your care team. That means we listen to your preferences and concerns and work with you to craft a treatment plan that fits you.

Meet Our Urogynecology Specialists

Our urogynecology physicians bring advanced training in caring pelvic floor disorders. Meet our team:

Eric English, MD

Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota
OBGYN West

Hilary Frank, DO

Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota
Oakdale OBGYN

Kevin Hallman, MD

Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota
MetroPartners OBGYN

Matthew Palmer, DO

Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota
Oakdale OBGYN

Jenny Zhang, MD

Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota
Oakdale OBGYN

Pelvic Floor Disorders We Treat

We treat a wide range of bladder and bowel disorders, including:

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disorders

There are many symptoms of pelvic floor disorder(s). Common symptoms include:

• Leakage of urine or stool
• Lack of control/sudden urgency to urinate or poop
• A bulge or protrusion around your vagina or anus
• Pressure or a sense of heaviness around your vagina or anus

Let’s Get Started: Next Steps

When you’re ready to take the next step, our team will help you explore all the treatment options – and there are many – thanks to advances in our understanding of the complexity of the pelvic area and to technology. We’re well-versed in evaluation and diagnosis, and take the time to get to know you so that we can find a solution that fits you and your lifestyle.

Step 1: Bladder Evaluation, Testing

After a thorough health history and exam, our team will complete a comprehensive urogynecologic evaluation. This gives us greater detail behind the cause of your pelvic concern so that we can recommend treatment options for you. Evaluation may include:

Step 2: Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Disorders

We understand that every pelvic floor disorder is unique, which is why we avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we take a holistic view, placing you at the center of your treatment plan. This personalized approach may include lifestyle and nutrition strategies, medications, pelvic floor strengthening, physical therapy, bladder retraining, office procedures, surgery, or a combination of these treatments tailored to your needs.

Non-surgical Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Many women want to explore non-surgical options before considering more invasive treatments. Good news: there’s lots of non-surgical options to choose from and your treatment plan is tailored to you.

Office-based Incontinence Procedures

Depending on the type of pelvic floor disorder you have, an office-based procedure that makes use of the latest medical advances may be an option for you.

• Urethral bulking agents
• Percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE)
• Botox injections, to relax bladder muscles and decrease bladder spasms

Urogynecologic Surgeries

Surgical options for treating pelvic floor disorders are often considered when nonsurgical and office-based procedures aren’t working. Surgery can be an effective, long-lasting solution and can often be performed using the latest in minimally invasive approaches, with or without robotics. The type of surgery depends on your diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a referral?
• What can I expect?
• What can I expect from physical therapy?
• What insurance do you accept?
• What are the risks?
• Where do you perform surgery?

Helpful Resources

• AUGS patient education fact sheets
• Voices for PFD (Pelvic Floor Disorders)