Jose Maceda, M.D.
Laurie Kane, M.D.
Springfield, Pa. – “The majority of the time, my patients say, ‘I wish I would have done this years ago. I thought it was a normal part of aging that I just had to put up with,’” says Laurie Kane, M.D., Crozer-Keystone urogynecologist.
Kane and Jose Maceda, M.D., medical director, comprise Delaware Valley Urogynecology. The practice offers four convenient locations — Springfield Hospital, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake, and Delaware County Memorial Hospital.
A urogynecologist is a physician trained as an obstetrician/gynecologist, but who also obtains additional training in urogynecology (pelvic floor disorders). The most common pelvic floor disorders are urinary incontinence (leaking urine), overactive bladder and vaginal prolapse (dropped bladder), but they also involve other problems with the uterus, bowel or rectum. Both Maceda and Kane are fellowship-trained in urogynecology.
“We see ourselves as educators as well as clinicians, and each patient is a partner in her care,” Maceda says. “We offer a breadth of services, from conservative/nonsurgical therapies to vaginal, abdominal and minimally invasive procedures. We give the patient options that we feel are best for their unique situation.”
Urinary incontinence, characterized by urine leakage, is typically associated with post-menopausal women, but Maceda and Kane have seen their fair share of younger patients with this condition. “It is a stereotype that only elderly women experience urinary incontinence,” Kane says. “Younger women are less likely to talk to a physician. They think they must be the only ones with this problem. As a consequence, they may not go out with others or even perform routine tasks — such as going to the gym — for fear of leaking urine. I have seen women as young as their 20’s and 30’s.”
Urinary incontinence occurs as a result of overstretched pelvic floor muscles and injured nerves. This can happen as a result of aging, but is also common in pregnant women, those who have given birth, and even in those who have chronic constipation or have a family history of urinary incontinence. Urine can leak out spontaneously, or when coughing, sneezing or performing a physical activity. These women also tend to experience problems during sexual intercourse.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the structures that support the bladder, rectum, uterus or vagina weaken and herniate. As a result, the affected organ can protrude from the vagina — causing discomfort as well as embarrassment.
Both Maceda and Kane stress that any woman experiencing a pelvic floor disorder should seek out medical help.
“Treatment depends on the severity of the woman’s problem,” Maceda says. “Physical therapy, which can include biofeedback, manual therapy, and a range of exercises, is one option. Various surgical approaches, including minimally invasive surgery, may be discussed with the patient as well. Both Dr. Kane and I stress that the patient is an active participant in choosing her own treatment plan.”
Physical therapy services are conveniently located at Springfield Hospital and are provided by a licensed physical therapist with an interest in female pelvic floor disorders.
“A pelvic floor disorder can affect a woman’s quality of life in a very slow and progressive manner,” Maceda says. “It literally dictates how she lives her life, and women compensate for these problems up to a certain point. After being treated they are amazed, because they then understand how much the problem was affecting their lives. Emotionally, it is liberating to not have to worry about whether or not you will have an ‘accident’ in public.”
For more information about Delaware Valley Urogynecology, or to request an appointment with Maceda or Kane, call (610) 338-1810 or visit www.crozer.org. The practice is accepting new patients and can offer prompt appointments.
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