If you have given birth or if you are a certain ..ahem age… you probably already know what I’m talking about. And that’s the thing, it’s not talked about very often.
This is a conversation sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare. All opinions are my own.
I shared a little about my fears when I took a trampoline aerobics class in a previous article. To avoid peeing my pants while I was jumping, I went to the bathroom before the class started, had to leave my class midway through to go to the bathroom, and I went to the bathroom after the class.
Sneezes and gut laughs are also a fear of mine for obvious reasons.
Thanks a lot, kids!
You don’t have to suffer in vain
As caregivers, women tend to put themselves last, justify that’s normal or the “new normal” and suffer through health issues that can be addressed and fixed…many times with outpatient procedures.
Ask yourself “Is this affecting my relationships?”
If you are having issues “down there” with any of the “holes”, and it’s affecting your social life or your romantic relationships, it’s time to see a Urogynecologist.
Why suffer longer than you need to?
It’s easier to address these issues in your 40’s + after kids vs. dealing with issues for another few decades.
Insert a Visit to See Dr. Susan Oakley
I got the opportunity to tour the new St. Elizabeth Woman’s Health Center and ask Dr. Susan Oakley ALL of my questions.
She was the perfect blend of a professional specialist and comic relief. Seriously, within seconds of meeting her, she takes out all of the awkwardness of talking about those issues and makes it relatable and HILARIOUS!
When she told me that being a doctor was her second career choice after spending time in New York City for musical theater it all made sense!
She has a PASSION to take care of the moms, who take care of others.
Her passions have even taken her overseas to do mission work in other countries to assist women and provide training for other doctors.
She uses language and terms that make everything super easy to understand…and really funny…. and she assured me that she and her staff make the visits as comfortable and pain-free as possible….and she really assured me on the pain-free part because this is their focus all day long.
Your first step would be a 30-60 minute consultation and you do not need a referral. Catheters are common during those visits but again she emphasized that they do everything in their power to make the exam pain-free.
The examining rooms also share a Jack and Jill style bathroom that double locks from within so that you don’t need to walk down the hallway to use the restroom.
St. Elizabeth has three female Urogynecologist providers and they keep active waitlists if an appointment time doesn’t work to see your preferred doctor.
What does an Urogynecology doctor do?
At St. Elizabeth, Urogynecology is compassionate, comprehensive care for women and helps them learn more about surgical and non-surgical treatments for pelvic floor disorders.
Common Symptoms and Issues Could Include
- Bladder Control Problems: Overactive bladder, urine leakage, difficulty emptying the bladder, interstitial cystitis and recurrent urinary tract infections
- Bowel Control Problems: Constipation, diarrhea, irregular or hard bowel movements, abnormal stool consistency, fecal urgency or incontinence
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A bulge, pressure or heavy sensation in the vagina that worsens by the end of the day or during bowel movements; trouble starting to urinate or a weak or spraying stream of urine or urine leakage with intercourse
- Sexual Dysfunction: Chronic pelvic pain, low desire, or pain during intercourse
The St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center even offers Pelvic Health Physical Therapy!
I’ll admit that I snickered at the thought of it at first but if you needed to get your knee or another part of your body rehabbed, you would go to PT so it’s just a matter of changing your mindset.
Enjoy a Ladies Night Out
Why not grab some girlfriends and check out the new Women’s Health Center together?
On Tuesday, June 11 from 6-8pm you can ask Dr. Oakley your questions in a safe and judgment-free environment, take a tour, enjoy some food, relax with a chair massage, and check out great merchandise from some fabulous local vendors.
The St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center Grand Opening will feature Mixx 94.9’s Holly Morgan, Truckshop, Aveda Kenwood, chair massages, FENNOFashion Truck, light refreshments and women’s health experts from St. Elizabeth.
Make sure that you register for this FREE event.
Tour St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center
The St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center building has two separate entrances.
The top level is where you can see the Urogynecology doctors.
Both of the waiting rooms in the building are really welcoming with fireplaces and warm colors in the hallways.
The lower level entrance is where you go for Pelvic Physical Therapy and there is a conference room for educational training.
The lower level of the building also now offers screening mammography and DEXA scans. There are changing rooms with lockers available for patients to use before their examination.
This building makes it easier for women to be screened for pelvic floor disorders, breast cancer, and osteoporosis in one location.
Find More Information on St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center Services
St. Elizabeth Women’s Health Center is located at
600- Mammography and Bone Density/ 610-Urogynecology Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, please call St. Elizabeth to schedule an appointment for a consultation at (859) 757-2132. You don’t have to be referred to make an appointment.
Visit the St. Elizabeth website for more information on Urogynecology, mammography, bone density, and pelvic floor physical therapy services at the new Women’s Health Center.
