One in three women will experience a pelvic floor health disorder in her lifetime. To treat these conditions, Ochsner offers a wide range of treatment options ranging from lifestyle changes and medication to innovative procedures and robotic surgery. We offer a multidisciplinary approach to pelvic health care that is unique to our region. What’s more, we do it in a caring, compassionate setting.

At Ochsner, we treat each of our patients with respect and dignity. Pelvic floor health disorders are more common than some types of women’s cancer, and we want women to know that they do not need to suffer alone.

Ochsner Health Center - Baptist McFarland Medical Plaza

Ochsner Medical Center

Ochsner Women's Health Center - Slidell

At Ochsner, we want to make the most of your time when you come – especially when you come in from out of town. Your first visit will begin with a review of a list of questions available to you ahead of time through your MyOchsner account. These questions will ensure that you don’t forget to tell your doctor about any little symptoms you might have experienced. Also, if you have a CD or operation notes, make sure you bring them with you.

To make an appointment, call 504-703-9601 or email pelvicfloor@ochsner.org, and a Pelvic Health Nurse Navigator will help guide you.

The female pelvic health team is made up of experienced, board-certified physicians trained in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Our team of physicians includes urogynecologists and colorectal surgeons. We also have highly skilled and specialized pelvic health nurse practitioners, physical therapists, behavioral health specialists and urodynamics nurses.

And then there’s you, the patient. You and your family are considered vital members of the team as well. The Pelvic Health Nurse Navigator plays a key role in the care process. Our nurse navigators will serve as a patient liaison to help patients and family members navigate the healthcare system. The nurse navigators will help with scheduling tests, procedures, appointments and treatments. We pride ourselves on care that is both cutting edge and compassionate.

Learn more about our team:

Urology:

Colin Goudelocke, MD

Joanna Togami, MD

Urogynecology:

Ahmet Bedestani, MD

Laurephile Desrosiers, DO

Leise Knoepp, MD

Kristina Marchand, FNP-BC

Kai Capdau, PA-C

Colon Rectal Surgery:

Jennifer Paruch, MD

Common conditions we treat include:

• Stress Incontinence - Approximately 1 out of 3 women over the age of 45, and 1 out of every 2 women over 65 have sudden urinary incontinence (SUI) Some women may have leaking urine with common activities such as sneezing, laughing and coughing. This is known as stress incontinence.
• Urge Incontinence or Overactive Bladder (OAB) - OAB occurs when a woman feels a sudden “gotta go, gotta go” feeling. Often, she is not able to make it to the bathroom on time. We can address these issues and discuss your treatment options.
• Fecal Incontinence - Fecal incontinence (also called defecatory disorder) can range from an occasional loss of gas to a complete loss of bowel control. This condition can be caused by aging, vaginal childbirth, diet and other factors. While it can be embarrassing and isolating, there are solutions. Now is the time to find out if we can help.
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse - Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent or "drooping" of the pelvic organs. A woman may feel like everything is "falling out.” This could be the uterus, front or back vaginal walls or the top of the vagina after a hysterectomy. Prolapse is a very common problem that can be treated in several different ways, including vaginal and abdominal approaches.

We also diagnose and treat:

• Genitourinary fistula (when there is an abnormal tract between the vagina and bladder, ureters or urethra)
• Interstitial cystitis (also known as bladder pain syndrome or BPS)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Urethral diverticulum (when the urethra or the periurethral glands push into the connective tissue layers surrounding it)
• Complications from urinary incontinence treatment (such as obstruction and mesh erosion)
• Voiding dysfunction (poor coordination between the bladder muscle and the urethra)
• Bladder disorders associated with spinal cord injury or other neurological conditions

We offer a wide range of innovative treatment options, including neuromodulation, a technology that acts directly upon nerves and can help treat pelvic disorders and incontinence. Patients also have access to clinical trials, which aim to offer tomorrow’s treatments today. Additional treatment options include:

• Anterior Colphorrphaphy (cystocele repair)
• Behavior modification, biofeedback therapy along with other physiotherapeutic approaches
• Bladder instillations
• Botox intravesical injections
• Bulking agent injections
• Cystoscopy
• Genitourinary fistula repair
• Genitourinary reconstruction
• Laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures
• Pelvic reconstruction (with and without mesh)
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Posterior colporrhaphy (rectocele repair)
• Pudendal neuromodulation
• Robot-assisted laparoscopic abdominal sacrocolpopexy
• Sacral neuromodulation
• Tension-free vaginal tape procedure (TVt surgery) and other mid-urethral slings
• Ureteral re-implantation
• Urinary diversion

Urodynamic tests are used to determine how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra are at storing and releasing urine. They are used to measure nerve and muscle function, pressure around and in the bladder, flow rates, and more. Urodynamics can help explain the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Problems emptying the bladder completely
• Problems starting a urine stream
• Recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Strong, sudden urges to urinate but nothing comes out

Urodynamic tests available at Ochsner include:

• Cytometric test
• Electromyography
• Leak point pressure measurement
• Postvoid residual measurement
• Pressure flow study
• Uroflometry
• Video urodynamic tests

All patients are welcome to come to Ochsner for a second opinion on any type of pelvic health concern. If you’d like a confirmation of your diagnosis and/or treatment plan, call 504-703-9601 or email pelvicfloor@ochsner.org

Urinary Tract Infections:

• Does cranberry juice really help a UTI? - How effective are cranberries at preventing infection? What about all of the cranberry extracts that we see? Learn more.
• Symptoms of a UTI - You have a strong, persistent urge to go to the bathroom. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. There’s a burning sensation when you urinate, even though little comes out when you do. You may be experiencing a urinary tract infection (UTI). Learn more.

Urinary Incontinence:

• What to do if you pee when you sneeze - Do you pee a little when you sneeze? Your pelvic floor may be the reason. Pelvic floor therapy can train your pelvic floor muscles to support a wide range of issues. Learn more.
• What is stress incontinence? - Urinary incontinence is any loss of control of your bladder. There are several types of urinary incontinence, and one of the most common is stress incontinence. In stress incontinence, the “stress” refers to an increase in abdominal pressure when coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising or even just bending over. Learn more.

Overactive Bladder:

• What is overactive bladder? - People with overactive bladder usually experience urinary frequency (the need to go often) and urgency (the feeling that going to the bathroom is difficult to postpone), and they can also experience bladder leakage. All of these symptoms can result in more frequent trips to the bathroom. Learn more.
• What treatment options are available for overactive bladder? While, unfortunately, there is no cure for overactive bladder (OAB), numerous treatment options are available. Treatment for overactive bladder can range from simple behavior changes to medications or even minor procedures. Urologist often begin with suggestions of simple behavioral therapies, which can be very effective in controlling symptoms, especially when mild. Learn more.
• How does stress effect the bladder? - Stress enhances uncomfortable bladder symptoms for a variety of reasons, through our nervous system, muscles and lifestyle. Lifestyle can also impact our bladders. Learn more.