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Tuesday, September 14, 2021

AHN Opens Center for Postpartum Healing for Women Experiencing Pelvic Floor Complications

Based out of AHN West Penn, AHN Division of Urogynecology will offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary care  

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Women’s Institute is pleased to announce the opening of its latest, highly-specialized clinic for women experiencing postpartum bladder and/or pelvic floor complications. The “Center for Postpartum Healing (CPPH)” is based out of West Penn hospital and will be led by a team of AHN urogynecologists to best treat women who’ve sustained severe lacerations, have compromised vaginal tears following childbirth or are experiencing issues such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence or chronic pelvic pain.

“Pelvic floor complications are in fact the most common health issues experienced by women after pregnancy. Furthermore, by one estimate, 25% of women older than 20 years of age suffer with one or more pelvic floor disorders,” said Lindsay Turner, MD, urogynecologist at AHN and physician lead of the Center for Postpartum Healing. “However, these complications are often left untreated due to persistent stigmas or the general assumption that it’s simply something women have to live with and it’s important we communicate that’s just not the case.”

Muscles in the pelvic floor support the uterus, bladder, reproductive organs and bowels. These muscles, in coordination with the core muscles, help control the bowel and bladder and are involved in sexual function. Dr. Turner often refers to it as ‘the bowl of muscles’ that lines the bony pelvis and acts like a hammock to support these internal organs.

The pelvic floor plays a central role in childbearing and the supportive pelvic muscles and tissues often weaken during pregnancy, straining through childbirth with varying levels of injury – ranging from nerve damage to significant tears. These injuries can present as chronic pelvic pain, severe sharp pains, incontinence, and postpartum discomfort, among other symptoms, and if left untreated can result in worsening outcomes and an affected quality of life.

“Although we have a specific concentration on postpartum patients, it’s important to note that our advanced team treats women throughout all stages and ages of her life from pregnancy and post-pregnancy, following gynecological surgery through menopause and post-menopausal,” said Nicole Reilley Dosey, DPT, CLT, AHN Manager of Pelvic Health Therapy Services. “We work closely with our patients to fully understand their challenges and design a comprehensive treatment approach that meets their long-term health goals and improves their overall quality of life.”

The Center will offer a multidisciplinary team including urogynecologists, gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons that will work together to design comprehensive care plans to alleviate discomfort, treat chronic pain and meet patients’ desired health goals. Pelvic health physical therapists will also work in conjunction with the Center via telemedicine or in-person appointments. Patient care plans may involve pelvic floor physical therapy, relaxation techniques, nerve stimulation, medication management and, if needed, minimally invasive pelvic reconstruction procedures that target specific areas of concern.

“We’re beyond thrilled to formally launch this Center and we’re confident that our continued focus in this area will significantly impact the lives of patients throughout our region by pushing these conditions into the mainstream, reducing associated stigma, increasing access to tailored care and ultimately, giving women a renewed sense of confidence,” said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, Chair of AHN Women’s Institute..

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 24 percent of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, with that number rising to 40 percent for women from 60 to 70 years of age.

For those interested in making an appointment, please call 412-578-1116; to learn more about the AHN Women’s Institute, visit ahn.org.

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