Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health
The Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at Chestnut Hill Hospital (Click Here for Directions)
8815 Germantown Avenue, Suite 40, Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-248-3100
Pelvic floor disorders are prevalent affecting one-third of pre-menopausal and half of postmenopausal women in the United Sates. Unfortunately, many women suffer in silence either because they are too embarrassed to discuss this issue with their physician or are fearful that surgery is the only treatment option. The Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at Chestnut Hill Hospital provides an open, supportive environment where patients can feel comfortable discussing their pelvic health concerns. Many women can be successfully treated using symptom control and other non-surgical techniques.
Symptoms/Conditions
Pelvic floor conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, such as urinary urgency, urinary frequency, loss of urine, painful urination, and difficulty in passing urine or stool, pelvic pressure, protrusion of a mass through the vagina (prolapse) and involuntary loss of stool. The Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at Chestnut Hill Hospital provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for women who suffer from disorders associated with the female pelvic floor, including:
- Difficulty in bladder or bowel emptying
- Fecal incontinence
- Painful bladder syndrome
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Rectal prolapse
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Urinary incontinence
Treatments
The Center gives patients access to an expert a team including a University of Pennsylvania-trained urogynecologist, a urologist specializing in female urology, colorectal surgeons, gynecologists, physical therapists and nurses who administer the newest therapies and technologies, including:
- Bladder retraining
- Dietary changes
- Exercise/rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles
- Medication
- Surgery including minimally invasive surgery: robotic assisted and trans-vaginal graft procedures
- Urinary control products
Schedule an Evaluation
Call 215-248-3100 to schedule an evaluation with Heidi Harvie, MD, urogyencologist, at the Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health at Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8815 Germantown Avenue, Suite 40, Philadelphia, PA 19118
What can you expect in your initial evaluation?
Initial evaluation consists of a thorough medical history and physical examination. Often you will be asked to maintain a voiding or evacuation diary that provides insights as to factors which may lead to your symptoms.
Depending upon your results, your physician may request additional testing. These tests may include radiology scans and X-rays or endoscopic procedures of the bladder and bowel. The physiologic functioning of these systems may also be evaluated using more specific urodynamic and anorectal testing techniques.
When the evaluation is complete, what’s next?
With the evaluation phase complete, your physician will begin discussion of treatment options. Treatment often involves the combination of dietary, medical, behavioral and/or surgical therapies.
Rehabilitation techniques that include neuromuscular re-education of the pelvic floor muscles can help significantly reduce incontinence. This treatment involves 1-on-1 sessions with a specially trained therapist who uses computer technology to assist patients as they improve the strength and coordination of the muscles that maintain bowel and bladder control.
What if non-surgical treatments don’t work?
If all the non-surgical options to correct your condition are not effective our physicians are specially trained to surgically repair the pelvic floor and surrounding organs. Our surgeons use minimally invasive procedures including robotic-assisted surgery to minimize patients’ discomfort and speed recovery time returning you to normal activities sooner.
Meet the Team
The Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health is composed of a team of expert physicians, nurses, physical therapist and researchers dedicated to the treatment and study of reproductive disorders in women. These specialists work closely with physicians from other Chestnut Hill Hospital services, such as colorectal surgery, urology and gastroenterology, to provide accurate referrals and prompt treatment. This multidisciplinary team collaborates to develop a plan of care that is individually tailored to each woman's specific needs.
Heidi Harvie, MD, director of Women’s Center for Continence and Pelvic Health
Women’s Health Associates
8815 Germantown Avenue, Suite 40
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-248-3100
Dr. Harvie is a minimally invasive GYN surgeon. As a University of Pennsylvania fellowship-trained urogynecologist and pelvic reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Harvie will help treat women with conditions such as uterine prolapse and incontinence using the newest minimally invasive surgical technology.
Jeffery Butcher, MD, colorectal surgeon, general surgeon, Penn Surgery
Dr. Butcher is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Brett Lebed, MD, female urology, neurourology and voiding dysfunction
Dr. Lebed is a Medical University of South Carolina fellowship trained female urology, pelvic reconstruction and voiding dysfunction surgeon.
Teresa Carney, RN, BSN
Ms. Carney specializes in urodynamics and continence issues. For more than 10 years, she ahs assisted women with urologic health.