Medically reviewed by Gregory J. Bailey, MD, board-certified urogynecologist
A urogynecologist is a physician who specializes in pelvic floor disorders in women, including bladder leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, and recurrent urinary tract infections. They are board certified to provide specialty treatment for pelvic floor disorders. This may include both nonsurgical and surgical treatment. You would see one when pelvic symptoms go beyond what a general OB-GYN typically manages.
Dr. Gregory J. Bailey has spent more than 20 years in pelvic healthcare, and new patients still tell us they had never heard the word “urogynecologist” until a doctor or friend mentioned it. You are not behind. The specialty is small, and most women only learn what a urogynecologist does once symptoms show up and answers get hard to find.
What Is a Urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist is a specialist who works where gynecology and urology overlap: the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is the group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that supports the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. When that support system weakens or stops coordinating properly, the results can include leakage, pressure, and pain.
Becoming one takes extra training. In 2011, urogynecology became a recognized subspecialty requiring board certification. Dr. Bailey is board certified in this field.
These problems are far more common than most patients assume. Research funded by the National Institutes of Health found that roughly one in four US women is affected by a pelvic floor disorder. Common, and highly treatable.
What Conditions Does a Urogynecologist Treat?
Patients come to us for a fairly consistent set of concerns:
- Pelvic organ prolapse, when the bladder, uterus, or rectum drops from its normal position and creates a bulge or heaviness. This includes cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele, and uterine prolapse.
- Urinary incontinence, both stress leakage (with coughing, sneezing, or exercise) and urge leakage (a sudden need to go that doesn’t wait).
- Overactive bladder, the frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom that start reorganizing your day. We covered treatment options in depth in our overactive bladder guide.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections, meaning UTIs that keep coming back despite treatment.
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, including muscles that are too weak or too tense to do their job.
- Trouble emptying the bladder or bowel completely.
Many of these overlap. A patient with prolapse often has some leakage too, which is exactly why a specialist who sees the whole pelvic floor matters. You can browse the full list on our conditions we treat page.
Urogynecologist vs. OB-GYN vs. Urologist: What’s the Difference?
Your OB-GYN covers the full range of women’s health, from annual exams to pregnancy care. A urologist treats the urinary tract in both men and women. A urogynecologist focuses on the specific territory those two share: pelvic floor support and bladder function in women.
In practice, the difference shows up in depth. An OB-GYN might reasonably start you on Kegel exercises for mild leakage. If that doesn’t resolve things, a urogynecologist has the diagnostic tools and the full treatment menu, from specialized physical therapy to advanced procedures, to figure out why and fix it. Many of our Gainesville patients arrive after months of “let’s wait and see.” You don’t need to wait that long.
When Should You See a Urogynecologist?
Consider an evaluation with a pelvic floor specialist if any of these sound familiar:
- You leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise
- Sudden urges send you hunting for a bathroom, or you don’t make it in time
- You feel a bulge, pressure, or heaviness in your vagina or pelvis
- You’ve had several UTIs in the past year
- Bladder or pelvic symptoms started after childbirth or menopause and haven’t improved
- Treatment through your primary doctor or OB-GYN hasn’t helped
None of these are things you simply have to accept as part of aging or motherhood. If this list hits close to home, request an appointment or call us at (352) 333-6161. Let’s talk about what’s going on and what your options look like.
How Does a Urogynecologist Treat Pelvic Floor Disorders?
We always begin with the least invasive options and progress thoughtfully based on your symptoms, anatomy, and goals. For most patients, that starts with conservative care:
- Dietary changes or medication adjustments
- Pelvic exercises or pelvic physical therapy
- Medications
- Pessary fitting, a small removable device that supports prolapsed organs without surgery
- Topical vaginal estrogen for tissue thinning after menopause
Then more advanced treatment options that may include surgical options.
When conservative care isn’t enough, other therapies come next. These include Bulkamid, an injectable gel that cushions the urethra to reduce stress leakage; Botox bladder injections that calm an overactive bladder muscle; Altaviva, a gentle tibial nerve stimulator placed near the ankle; and InterStim, a small implant that steadies the nerve signals between the brain and bladder.
Surgery is the last step, not the first. Dr. Bailey performs mid-urethral sling procedures for stress incontinence, vaginal prolapse repair, and robotic sacrocolpopexy, a minimally invasive operation that restores support for prolapsed organs. Every plan is individualized, never one-size-fits-all. You can read more about the full range on our pelvic health and urogynecology page.
What Happens at Your First Urogynecology Appointment?
Mostly, we talk. Your first visit centers on your story: what symptoms you’re having, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they’re affecting your life. Bring a list of medications and any records from doctors you’ve already seen.
A gentle pelvic exam usually follows, so Dr. Bailey can assess muscle strength and check for prolapse. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend simple bladder testing at a follow-up visit. Nothing happens without explanation, and no question is too embarrassing to ask. We’ve heard them all, and the evaluation stays confidential and compassionate from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a urogynecologist?
That depends on your insurance plan, not on us. Some plans let you schedule directly with a specialist, while others ask for a referral from your primary doctor first. If you’re searching for a urogynecologist near me and aren’t sure what your plan requires, call our office at (352) 333-6161 and we’ll help you sort it out.
Do urogynecologists treat urinary tract infections?
Yes, when they keep coming back. A single UTI is usually handled well by your primary doctor. Recurrent infections deserve a closer look, because there’s often an underlying reason, such as incomplete bladder emptying or tissue changes after menopause, that a urogynecologist can identify and treat.
Can a urogynecologist help with problems after childbirth?
Absolutely. Pregnancy and delivery put real strain on the pelvic floor, and leakage, pressure, or pain months after having a baby is common. It’s also treatable, often with pelvic floor therapy alone. You don’t have to wait until you’re done having children to get evaluated.
Does seeing a urogynecologist mean I need surgery?
No. Most patients start with conservative treatment, and many never need an operation at all. We always begin with the least invasive options, and surgery only enters the conversation when simpler approaches haven’t given you the relief you’re looking for.
Talk With a Urogynecologist in Gainesville
If bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, or repeat infections have been running your schedule, a specialist evaluation is the fastest way to real answers. Dr. Bailey and our team have helped women across Gainesville and North Central Florida understand their symptoms and treat them, usually starting with the simplest option that works.
Well Balanced Healthcare is located at 6440 W Newberry Rd #409, Gainesville, FL 32605. Call (352) 333-6161, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, or request an appointment online. You don’t have to live with this.