Your Number Two is My Number One

The following information on ABL is brought to you by Florida Urogynecology.

Hi, I’m Lindsay. I’m a Nurse Practitioner in a Urogynecology practice — urogynecologists basically take care of your pelvis, meaning your urinary tract (“uro”) and your lady parts (“gyn”). If you have trouble holding your pee, leak when you jump or run, or if your pelvic organs are dropping and causing discomfort, you may need to see a Urogynecologist.

But there is another part of the pelvis…yup, the back. You may hear less about it, because let’s be honest, it’s not something you want to bring up at dinner or out with friends. Did you know that some women have trouble controlling their bowel movements? While you may not want to think about it, it’s true.

Accidental bowel leakage (ABL) is a problem not many women want to talk about. Believe it or not, 9-15% of women have monthly accidents. Whether from a tear from childbirth or an underlying nerve issue, the problem is the same. Poop happens, and not when you want it to!

In the distant past, women came to see us at Florida Urogynecology and wouldn’t want to talk about leaking urine. Now, Whoopi Goldberg and various yoga instructors are on TV commercials recommending tampons to keep your pee in! ABL is slow to catch up on that trend. Some of my patients are still embarrassed to talk to me about it. I am here to tell you that it’s okay — we have a bowel treatment program that is delivered entirely in our office.  No single treatment works for every woman, so each patient has a custom treatment pathway using the latest technology.

Typically, we start by teaching you how to modify your fiber intake and other dietary changes. We may also discuss appropriate medications, and do some pelvic rehab with a specialized nurse. If necessary, we can explore device and surgical options. Lucky for you, Florida Urogynecology also offers a treatment that most physicians in the country don’t have yet. Until this year, women were faced with limited options for treating ABL. After rehab, the last option was a surgically-placed stimulator — a pacemaker of sorts that targets the nerves that control the pelvis — or major surgery on the anal sphincter. Now, Dr. Thompson and I are the only office in the state to offer a new therapy, done in the office, with no surgery and immediate results!

The Eclipse System is a new treatment option for women with ABL. In a clinical trial, it was found to help 86% of patients who were successfully fit, and almost half of those patients had no accidents at all.

I know you just looked at the picture, and you’re trying to figure this thing out. Eclipse is, in fact, a vaginal insert, with a discreet, detachable pump. The purple insert goes into the vagina, similar to where a tampon rests. The ring folds in half for insertion. The balloon is then inflated and gently pushes against the rectum. Every woman has a different anatomy, so Eclipse is customized in the office for you, or “your friend with ABL.” Not every woman can be successfully fit with Eclipse, but we have a range of size options to try.

The best part of Eclipse, other than how well it works, is that you control it! You decide when you want to wear it or take it out entirely. Some women may experience mild side effects such as pelvic discomfort or cramping. No recovery, no scars, and no one knows but you and me… and I won’t tell.

So, stop putting off those dates, that dress, those burpees! Come and see for yourself how we can help you get back to being you.

 

Florida Urogynecology is a regional referral center for the treatment of female gynecologic and urologic disorders (Urogynecology). We provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment modalities for the management of problems women may have with their bladder and female organs. When surgery is an option, your best chance for longterm success is with your initial procedure. It is important to seek expert evaluation from the start.

We offer the most advanced care available for women’s incontinence and pelvic health. We specialize in helping women understand and overcome unique health conditions, which may be embarrassing, painful, or even incapacitating. Some of these include: bladder and bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, overactive and painful bladder, defecation disorders, pelvic and vulvar pain, and more.  Dr. Jason Thompson has completed advanced fellowship training in UROGYNECOLOGY. He is also Board Certified in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery.

Lindsay Mason, ARNP has been dedicated to working in women’s health as a labor and delivery nurse for 5 years prior to joining out team in 2015. Lindsay has been managing pessary care, reprogramming, InterStims, providing medication management as well as evaluating new patients and heads up our Well Woman care program. She has most recently started to manage our Eclipse program.

With knowledge, compassion and treatment Florida Urgynecology assists our patients in returning to their active lifestyles.

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