If you are suffering from a pelvic floor disorder such as urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or constipation, you want to be treated by an expert doctor as quickly as possible so that you can return to normal function.
At Tufts Medical Center, located in downtown Boston, a team of doctors with strong expertise in pelvic floor disorders have come together to create a multidisciplinary Center for Pelvic Health. Our physicians work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms, the appropriate treatment and then work as a team to provide you with the best possible care.
Throughout your care, you’ll be seen by some of the top experts in their fields:
Gastroenterology
To determine the cause of your symptoms, Harmony Allison, MD and our gastroenterology team will determine the diagnostic testing you may need. We offer the full range of tests for pelvic floor disorders, including:
- Endoanal and endorectal ultrasounds
- Defecography
- Dynamic MRIs
- Anorectal manometry
- Colonoscopy
Once we know more about your condition, the Tufts Medical Center Urogynecology and Colon and Rectal Surgery teams will work together to determine the best treatment plan for your condition. If surgery is needed, surgeons from either the urogynecology or colorectal surgery team will work with you to determine the approach that will get you the best possible result.
Urogynecology
To help you with your pelvic floor problem, our urogynecology team offer a range of state-of-the-art therapies.
These services include:
Surgeries:
- Laparoscopic, robotic assisted surgery or vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse
- Mesh and non-mesh based surgery for pelvic organ prolapse
- Mesh midurethral slings, autologous fascial slings, laparoscopic burch urethropexy or periurethral bulking for stress urinary incontinence
- Sacral neuromodulation for overactive bladder or fecal incontinence
- Intradetrusor Botox™ for refractory overactive bladder
- Mesh complication surgeries
- Sphincteroplasty
In-office procedures:
- Bladder Botox® injections
- Posterior tibial nerve stimulation
- Peripheral nerve evaluation for overactive bladder or accidental bowel leakage
- Pessary fitting and changing
- Urodynamic testing
- Cystoscopy
- Trigger point injections in the pelvic floor muscles
- Pelvic floor ultrasounds
Our team also offers pelvic floor physical therapy to help you find relief from musculoskeletal problems related to pregnancy and pelvic floor symptoms. Working with a physical therapist, we offer a range of treatments to help reduce your symptoms, including:
- Bladder control training
- Electrical stimulation
- Ergonomics and body mechanics training
- Pelvic floor and core exercises
- Massage and myofascial release
- Relaxation techniques
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Lilian Chen, MD, colorectal surgeon offers the latest treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence and other issues of the pelvic floor, including fecal incontinence which may have resulted after childbirth with trauma to the anus.
Treatments for fecal incontinence and rectal prolapse include:
- The bowel management program – For fecal incontinence, this is a dietary regimen that typically restores regularity to bowel movements so they are more predictable
- Stimulated defecation – For fecal incontinence, this is a regimen using suppositories or enemas to stimulate bowel movements if you are able to achieve a regular diet using the Bowel Management Program
- Biofeedback – an anal sphincter exercise and sensation training program
- Surgery – our surgeons offer a range of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries, including:
To make an appointment, please call 617-636-8788.