FPMRS doctors diagnose and treat conditions that affect the muscles and connective tissue of the female pelvic organs. Pelvic floor conditions include urinary leakage, bowel leakage, bladder or vaginal pain, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal laxity and female sexual dysfunction.

Women no longer have to see multiple specialists if they have issues in different areas of their body.

It used to be that a woman would have to see a urologist if she had a problem with the bladder, which is in front of the pelvis. The middle section involving the uterus would be treated by a gynecologist and if she had rectum problems, she’d have to see a colorectal surgeon.

Because all of these organs share the same connective tissue, nerves and blood supply, any issue treated will naturally affect the other areas. The awareness of this is how the subspecialty of Urogynecology came about. Thus, Urogynecology is an expertise that masters the entire pelvis.

So, now you no longer have to see multiple doctors to treat pelvic issues. Our double board-certified urogynecologists are also practicing OB/GYNs so they bring a unique experience and level of expertise regarding pelvic health issues.

Why should you care if our urogynecologists also deliver babies? Because giving birth affects the pelvic floor, which can ultimately cause prolapse, incontinence and a host of other issues. By having delivered thousands of babies collectively, Dr. Litrel and Dr. Haley understand the complexities of a woman’s body and how one area affects another. The experience our doctors have in delivering babies adds to their expertise and understanding of the pelvic floor, which means you’re going to receive the most expert care available.

Dr. Michael Litrel and Dr. James Haley are among the few board-certified urogynecologists in private practice in the Southeast. They are also among a very select few in the nation of urogynecologists that are also practicing OB/GYNs as well.

Why should women care about board certification? Not all physicians are board-certified in a specialty. The certification reflects the vigorous training and performance required to achieve a high level of expertise. The ABMS cites numerous studies that have demonstrated that physicians who are board-certified “deliver higher quality care and have better patient care outcomes than physicians who are not board-certified.”

The National Institutes of Health estimates one-third of women in the U.S. will experience pelvic disorders in their lifetime. Symptoms of pelvic disorders include feeling pressure, urinary or fecal leakage, pain during intercourse, frequent urination or inability to empty bladder. A large study presented at the American Urogynecologic Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting in 2013 reported that a woman’s lifetime risk of surgery for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse is 20%, almost twice the risk previously reported two decades ago.

Board-certified urogynecologists see and treat these issues with greater frequency than non-specialists which results in the highest chance of long-term success. For example, with a traditional surgery for a prolapse repair (native tissue bladder repair), the failure rate is approximately 30%. But a subspecialist with advanced training can perform a surgery such as sacrocolpopexy with a success rate of 88% to 92%. For moderate issues a routine repair is standard, but more advanced conditions call for a surgeon with more advanced training.

Along with being board-certified in urogynecology, our physicians are also practicing OB/GYNs. Over the many years of delivering thousands of babies, they have seen firsthand the effects of childbirth to the female anatomy. Vaginal laxity often occurs after vaginal delivery, making the vaginal walls overstretched and less sensitive. Other causes of laxity include aging, trauma to the vagina, or menopause. Vaginal rejuvenation is an elective procedure that returns the pelvic floor muscles to their original location. Vaginal rejuvenation gives women tighter vaginal walls and surrounding muscles, resulting in a tighter feeling vagina and a more pleasing sexual experience for women and their partners.

The fact is, women often think their issues are ‘normal’ so they don’t seek treatment. Or, they don’t know that treatment is available. Or, they don’t know where to turn because their issues seem so overwhelming. That’s what our doctors are here for — to help you navigate the path to wellness and work with you to restore your health so you can get back to living life.

For many women who aren’t aware that there are treatments available, pelvic disorders and sexual dysfunction can be embarrassing and may even lead to greater medical complications if not treated. Routine examinations in general physicians’ offices don’t always screen for pelvic floor disorders. Women who are experiencing symptoms should not be afraid to speak up. Symptoms like leaking, vaginal bulges, laxity and sexual dysfunction are not something that a woman has to live with. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons are specialists and are used to talking about these issues and can help. Women who take an active role in their care will find that they are not alone and have a variety of options — both surgical and non-surgical — for restoring their quality of life.

Read more about treatments offered by our pelvic reconstructive surgeons. If you have questions about your gynecological health or would like to consult with one of our experts, please call 770.721.6060 or simply contact us online.