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Urogynecology & Pelvic Floor

Pelvic floor disorders can cause embarrassment, pain and discomfort, negatively impacting a woman’s quality of life.

While not often discussed, these disorders are very common and affect one out of four women aged 20 or above. Most suffer from more than one condition, such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary or fecal incontinence.

Our highly trained urogynecologist and expert care team are sensitive to the unique needs of individual patients and provide the most advanced treatment options available.

To learn more about our program, call (843) 402-5400.

Lady in Pink

Pelvic floor program

Roper St. Francis Urogynecology & Pelvic Surgery offers evaluation, treatment and management options for:

 

  • Urinary incontinence – loss of bladder control ranging from minor leakage to complete inability to control
  • Pelvic organ prolapse – loss of support for uterus, bladder and rectum or vaginal walls which may result in pressure or visible bulge from the vagina
  • Fecal incontinence – inability to control bowel movements or gas
  • Overactive bladder – the sudden urge to urinate that may be difficult to control
  • Underactive bladder – also referred to as neurogenic bladder, the inability to empty the bladder, associated with other neurologic conditions
  • Genitourinary developmental disorders – conditions related to the incomplete development of the vagina, uterus and bladder
  • Bladder & Bowel Fistula – abnormal connections that develops between the rectum or bladder and vagina

Urogynecologist

Meet Dr. Bernard Taylor, Urogynecologist

Bernard Taylor, MD

Dr. Gerald Bernard Taylor is a urogynecologist with Roper St. Francis Physician Partners Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery. Dr. Taylor has more than two decades of experience treating women with pelvic floor disorders in this specialty. In addition, Dr. Taylor has expertise in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and reconstructive surgery of the female genitourinary tract.

He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Read more.


What is a Urogynecologist?

Urogynecologists complete medical school and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology or urology. These doctors are board certified specialists with additional training and experience in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organ, the associated muscles and connective tissue. Most complete fellowships (additional training after residency) that focus on the surgical and non-surgical treatment of non-cancerous gynecologic problems. Some of the common problems treated by a urogynecologist include overactive bladder, urinary incontinence or urine leakage and pelvic organ prolapse (dropping of the vagina walls, uterus, cervix or rectum).

To learn more about our program, call (843) 402-5400.

Pelvic floor disorder

What is a Pelvic Floor Disorder?

The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles and connective tissues in the base of the pelvis, providing support for the uterus, bladder, rectum and vaginal wall.

Pelvic floor disorders generally occur as a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. Pelvic floor disorders can occur at any age. The symptoms usually present as women enter their 40s and 50s.

The symptoms include loss of urinary or bowel control and pressure or prolapse of the uterus and vagina wall.


What Causes Pelvic Floor Disorders?

The muscles and connective tissues around the base of the pelvis may weaken due to:

Aging – Pelvic floor muscles weaken as women age.

Genetic factors – Some women are born with risk of weaker muscles and connective tissues.

Pregnancy – Pregnancy and childbirth (whether through vaginal delivery or C-section) put a strain on the pelvic floor muscles and may result in injury.

Pressure on the pelvic floor – Obesity, heavy lifting and regular straining to have a bowel movement increase the stress on the pelvic floor may result in weakened muscles and connective tissue over time.

Surgery – A previous pelvic surgery can result in injury to the nerves, connective tissue or muscles and may put a woman at higher risk for development of pelvic floor disorders.

Treatment options

What are the treatment options for Pelvic Floor Disorders?

Pelvic floor disorders result in the loss of support and possible function of the bladder and bowels. Treatment of these conditions may involve medical management, changes in physical activity, diet or surgery. We offer the following treatments:

 

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy
  • Medical weight loss or bariatric surgery referral
  • Medications
  • Catheter instruction
  • Pessary
  • Botox injectables
  • Urethral bulking
  • Minimally invasive surgery – laparoscopic, robotic & vaginal
  • Sacral neuromodulation

 

Additional testing offered includes:

 

  • Urodynamics
  • Cystoscopy
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