Mailbag: Female Urologists Treat Prolapse and Pelvic Pain
Question:
I was wondering which doctor should I go to for alot of female problems is it obgyn doctor or a urology doctor? I am 45 years old I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 19. I had lazer surgery to remove some endo a few years ago. I had a heart attack in 2008. I just recently had a fistula on the side of my rectum cut and drained. My periods are very painful & my low back pain is very painful and getting worse everyday. I have urinary incontinence and have had this problem for years. I have been having severe bowel pain with bowel movements and bleeding feels like I am being cut & ripped. My pelvic pain & cramping is getting worse. I feel like something is up in my vagina and its gonna fall out, Sometimes intercourse is painful other times I dont feel anything. I feel to large down there I am always picking at my pads & clothing I feel like there going inside my vagina, My skin (labia) is always getting pinched & pulled in during intercourse and it hurts so bad I could scream, It rubs against my clothing and pads and makes it raw. I dont wear swimsuits anymore because my vagina shows through very embrassing & shows through my pants I feel swelled all the time down there I dont know what is going on with me but its causing me severe pain. My obgyn doctor was going to do hysterectomy back in 2003 but I chickened out. But now I am ready I am gonna have to do it this time I cant go on living with this pain. I just want this pain to be gone & look normal down there & get my sex life back on track with my husband. I also wanted to let you know I got married at 15 years old & had my only child at 16 and half years old I gave natural childbirth and I did rip and had to have stitches. I am still married my husbands doesnt complain about our sex life but sometimes he does say something doesnt feel right I havent told him how bad my pain is so he doesnt really know what I am going through.
Vicky
Answered by Dr. Ann Lavers:
I am not sure that there is any simple answer to your questions. Generally speaking, urologist do not do hysterectomies. On the other hand it is not clear to me that you indeed need a hysterectomy. In addition to gynecologist, many female urologist deal with prolapse and pelvic pain issues and may be able to help. It's hard for me to make any real recommendations without a good pelvic examination to evalaute you fully. If you'd like to be seen in clinic, I may be able to help.