About United Urogynecology & Female Pelvic Health

United Urogynecology & Female Pelvic Health is a division of United Medical Doctors, proudly serving the communities of Temecula and Encinitas in Southern California. Specializing in female pelvic health, including general gynecology, United Urogynecology & Female Pelvic Health strives to ensure each patient receives unparalleled specialty care.

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Our Mission

We are dedicated to providing unparalleled comprehensive, medical and surgical care to patients suffering from female pelvic health conditions, diseases and disorders.

Our practice strives to demonstrate compassion while maintaining high reliability as we aim to fulfill a superior patient-centered experience. We thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your healthcare team.

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Conditions Treated

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Bladder Pain
Bladder Emptying Difficulties
Fecal Incontinence
Fibroids
Fistulas
Menopausal Symptoms
Overactive Bladder
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic Pain
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginal and Vulva Disorders

About Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, also known as bladder leakage, is the loss of bladder control or the involuntary loss of urine. This can turn a laughing fit or fun workout into a stressful and potentially uncomfortable situation. Here are the three common types of Urinary Incontinence:

Stress Urinary Incontinence

This is the involuntary loss of urine with physical activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing and exercising. This occurs due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles that support the urethra. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

• Childbirth
• Trauma
• Hormone changes

Urgency Urinary Incontinence

Urgency urinary incontinence is the unintended loss of urine due to an involuntary bladder contraction. Patients often describe urge urinary incontinence as needing to go even if they just went. It’s often associated with an overactive bladder.

Mixed Urinary Incontinence

This is a combination of the two types of incontinence: stress urinary incontinence and urgency urinary incontinence.

Who Suffers From Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence affects more people than you might think. Incontinence affects twice as many women as men. The important thing to remember is you’re not alone. There are millions of women out there just like you who experience some form of bladder leakage. But you don’t have to live with it. Talk to your doctor today.

1 in 2 adult women have urinary incontinence.
On average, women wait 6.5 years after having symptoms to see a doctor.
Less than 50% of women with bladder leakage discuss their symptoms with their doctor.

Do You Have Urinary Incontinence?

Have you experienced any of the most common symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Unexpected leakage
Difficulty holding your urine
Sudden urge to urinate
Urinating more than 8 times a day

Many women have secret strategies for managing these symptoms, like wearing liners or pads, going before leaving the house, always finding a public restroom, limiting fluids throughout the day and crossing their legs. If you’re thinking, “Hey, I use some of those same strategies,” then it may be time to explore your options for relief.

Treatments & Procedures Offered

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is considered a conversative option for stress urinary incontinence.

Pessary Device

For stress urinary incontinence, a conservative option includes wearing a pessary. The pessary is a device that is placed into the vagina to support the uterus or bladder and rectum. In order to lessen urine leakage, a hard ring presses against the vaginal and urethral walls.

Urethral Bulking

Urethral bulking is an outpatient procedure to treat stress urinary incontinence. This procedures involves injecting a gelatinous substance into the urethra to help it close better to reduce leakage.

Midurethral Sling

Another treatment option for stress urinary incontinence includes the placement of a midurethral sling. A midurethral sling is a material that is placed under the urethra like a hammock to restore its support.

Axonics Sacral Neuromodulation Therapy

Axonics Therapy is an effective solution for treating symptoms of overactive bladder (including urinary urgency incontinence), bowel (fecal) incontinence and urinary retention that provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel, which can restore normal control and result in symptom improvement.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injection

A treatment option for urgency urinary incontinence includes a Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection into the bladder.

Laparoscopic, Robotic and Vaginal Surgeries

Minimally invasive techniques are utilized in the event surgery is needed.

About Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the muscles or ligaments in your pelvic floor are stretched or become too weak to hold your organs in the correct position. When this happens, organs such as the bladder, rectum and uterus can bulge (prolapse) into the vagina and sometimes past the vaginal opening. Imagine a hammock tied between two trees. Now imagine that same hammock after years of heavy use. Potential causes of POP include:

Pregnancy
Childbirth
Menopause
And many more

The types of Pelvic Organ Prolapse include:

Cystocele

A cystocele forms when the upper vaginal wall loses its support and sinks downward. This allows the bladder to drop. When a cystocele becomes advanced, the bulge may become visible outside the vagina. The symptoms caused by cystoceles can include pressure, slowing of the urinary stream, overactive bladder and an inability to fully empty the bladder.

Vaginal Vault Prolapse

This occurs when the uterine or vaginal support structures holding the upper part of the vagina are weakened. If the uterus is present, this is called “uterine prolapse.” Symptoms include pressure, pain, bladder infections and difficulty urinating.

Rectocele

A rectocele forms when the lower vaginal wall loses its support, allowing the rectum to bulge into the vagina. Rectoceles may cause difficulty with bowel movements — including the need to strain more forcefully, a feeling of rectal fullness even after a bowel movement, increased fecal soiling and incontinence of stool or gas.

Enterocele

An enterocele typically forms when the small intestine bulges through the top of the vagina after a hysterectomy, but not always. In some women, the intestine may slide between the back of the vagina and the rectum. The symptoms can be vague, including a bearing down pressure in the pelvis and vagina, and perhaps a lower backache.

Who Suffers From Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is more common among women than you might think. The important thing to remember is you’re not alone. Did you know:

Up to 50% of women may suffer from POP.
POP afflicts over 3 million women in the United States.
1 in 9 women will need prolapse surgery in their lifetime.

There are many women out there just like you who experience pain and discomfort associated with prolapse. But you don’t have to continue living like this; options are available to you. If you are concerned that you might have prolapse, talk to Dr. Arthur today!

Do You Have Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Have you experienced any of the most common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?

Pressure or discomfort in the vaginal and/or pelvic area
Diminished control in the bladder and/or bowels
Pain during intercourse

It’s always important to talk with a specialist sooner rather than later when you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse. There’s no shame in joining the conversation and there is no guilt in putting your health first.

Outpatient Surgical Centers

Outpatient procedures and surgeries are conducted in our outpatient surgical centers, United Surgery Centers, in Temecula and Encinitas, as well as at area hospitals in both Riverside and San Diego Counties. Featured here is United Surgery Center – Temecula, our largest state-of-the-art out-patient surgery center.

Axonics Neuromodulation for Incontinence Treatment

We are proud to offer Axonics Neuromodulation, a cutting-edge and innovative therapy and treatment for urinary and fecal incontinence.

How Axonics Works

Axonics Therapy is an effective solution for treating symptoms of overactive bladder (including urinary urgency incontinence), bowel (fecal) incontinence and urinary retention. This therapy is clinically proven to help people regain bladder and bowel control. Axonics Therapy provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel, which can restore normal control and result in symptom improvement.

Dr. Afiba Arthur, Urogynecologist and Female Pelvic Health Specialist, is proud to offer Axonics as a therapy for patients suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence.

Learn More About Axonics Therapy