The department of Urogynaecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery offers coordinated holistic care to cover all the aspects of female urinary incontinence and utero-vaginal prolapse. The unit is accredited by the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG, UK) receiving recognition for the high standards of care provided to women with pelvic floor problems.
Women are offered a comprehensive range of treatment options from conservative treatments to advanced surgical procedures if appropriate (including keyhole surgery).
Treatments are delivered by a dedicated team of doctors (surgeons), specialist nurses and pelvic health physiotherapists.
There is a dedicated nurse led pessary service for women requiring fitting, insertion, or changes and for those encountering pessary problems. There are clinics Monday to Friday at Concorde House, Southmead hospital, Bristol. We also run clinics at Yate West Gate Centre and Cossham Hospital.
Conditions treated include:
Female urinary incontinence
There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:
- stress incontinence – when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh.
- urge (urgency) incontinence – when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pee, or soon afterwards.
- overflow incontinence (chronic urinary retention) – when you're unable to fully empty your bladder, which causes frequent leaking.
- total incontinence – when your bladder cannot store any urine at all, which causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking.
- It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.
Find out more about the Urinary incontinence symptoms on the main NHS website.
Painful bladder conditions
Bladder pain syndrome is a poorly understood condition where you have pelvic pain and problems passing urine. It is difficult to diagnose and there is no single test that confirms the condition. Find out more about Bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis) - NHS.
Utero-vaginal prolapse
- Cystocele: Prolapse of the front wall of the vagina.
- Rectocele: Prolapse of the back wall of the vagina.
- Uterus: Prolapse of the womb.
- Vault: Prolapse of the top of the vagina after a hysterectomy.
Find out more about more about Pelvic organ prolapse - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
The British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) and the Pelvic organ prolapse NHS website have further information about treatment offered.
The Team
- Mr Chendrimada Madhu, Consultant (Lead) Subspecialist Urogynaecologist
- Dr Ifeoma Offiah, Consultant (Lead) Subspecialist Urogynaecologist and Research
- Dr Sanchita Sen, Consultant Gynaecologist
- Mr Mohamed Elhodaiby, Acting Consultant Gynaecologist
- Specialist Urogynaecology Nurses, Sophie Bell, Nicola Hawke, and Tracy Wareham
- Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Rebecca Noy
We work closely with the departments of urology and colorectal surgery in complex pelvic floor problems involving the bladder and bowel.
Mesh Complications Specialist Service
In April 2022, The Bristol Mesh Complications Specialist Service, at North Bristol NHS Trust, was set up, as one of nine designated specialist Mesh Complication Centres in England, supporting patients with mesh complications linked to urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training video
Useful Links and Leaflets for Urogynaecology
British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) bsug.org.uk
International Urogynaecological Association (IUGA) www.iuga.org
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) www.rcog.org.uk
International Continence Society (ICS) www.ics.org
Bladder and Bowel Foundation www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Patient.co.uk patient.info/health