Before You Arrive
Before you come to the Center for Pelvic Health, you will speak over the phone with our nurse coordinator. They will ask you several questions about your symptoms to make sure that you see a physician who specializes in your condition. Some of the questions they may ask include:
- Do you have urinary or fecal incontinence or both?
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Is there a bulge in your vagina or rectum?
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Do you have constipation or diarrhea?
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Are you having pelvic pain?
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Have you ever had any diagnostic testing for your problem, such as an ultrasound, cystoscopy, colonoscopy or anorectal manometry? (If so, the nurse coordinator can help collect your test reports prior to your first visit.)
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Have you had any previous surgery for this medical problem?
Before your appointment, the nurse coordinator will send you a welcome packet that includes information about your condition as well as a schedule for your first visit to the Center for Pelvic Health.
What To Expect at Your First Appointment
When you meet with your physician, you will be asked about your medical history. Your physician also will perform an examination, which usually includes a pelvic exam, a rectal exam or both. Depending on your condition, you may meet with more than one physician on your first visit. Please allow about two hours for this first appointment, unless the nurse coordinator tells you otherwise.
While most people do not have tests on their first visit, your physician may recommend having a few tests while you are at the medical center. If so, the nurse coordinator can let you know what you need to do to prepare for your test.
After your initial visit to the Center for Pelvic Health, the nurse coordinator will call you within 72 hours to see if you have any questions or concerns. If you require tests or additional services, the nurse coordinator will work with you to set up appointments at a convenient time. If you’ve had a test at the medical center, the nurse coordinator will let you know the results, usually within seven days.
Why Choose UChicago Medicine for Pelvic Health Care
Incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders are widespread and affect women and men of all ages. Yet these conditions are greatly undertreated, leaving millions of people to struggle with symptoms that can, and should, receive medical care.
The experts at UChicago Medicine's Center for Pelvic Health are committed to helping patients, including those who have been treated unsuccessfully elsewhere, find relief from their conditions so they can live their lives to their fullest.
