Urogynaecology and pelvic floor reconstruction

Urogynaecologists treat a variety of symptoms every day. These vary depending on the condition you live with. For example:

Birth trauma

Our expert team can diagnose and treat physical birth trauma affecting the pelvic floor, such as perineal tears, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), and levator avulsion (when pelvic muscles detach from the pubic bone). These injuries can lead to long-term issues like incontinence and prolapse.

Overactive bladder

Our expert team will determine the exact cause of an overactive bladder—whether due to involuntary detrusor muscle contractions, hormonal changes during menopause, or underlying pelvic floor issues—and design a tailored, individual treatment plan,

Painful bladder syndrome

Also known as Interstitial Cystitis (IC) or Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS), this is a chronic urogynaecological condition characterised by pelvic/bladder pain, pressure, urinary urgency, and frequency in the absence of infection. 

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments weaken, causing organs like the bladder, womb (uterus), or bowel to bulge into or out of the vagina. It is highly treatable.

Recurrent urinary tract infections

A recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is defined as having two or more infections in six months or three or more within a single year. A consultant may run diagnostic tests (like urine cultures or an ultrasound scan) to rule out underlying structural issues, kidney stones, or incomplete bladder emptying.

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is leakage that occurs with sneezing, coughing, or physical exertion. Urine loss occurs due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and support structures, or because the muscles of the urethra are not strong enough to prevent urine from leaking.

Even though stress incontinence can be very bothersome and disruptive, it is important to note that it is rarely a sign of any serious medical problem and there are many options for treatment of this common problem.

Urinary incontinence (overactive bladder)

Urine leakage is associated with an urgency to urinate. Some women feel this urge and others do not. This type of urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder contracts suddenly, often as the patient is moving toward the bathroom but before she can get there, causing urinary leakage.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is when your womb, bladder or bowel bulge into the vagina. It may not cause symptoms, but if you do have symptoms they can include: a feeling of heaviness, discomfort or pressure in your lower tummy or vagina; feeling or seeing a bulge or lump inside (or coming out of) your vagina; pain, discomfort or numbness during sex; problems pooing, such as constipation; problems peeing, such as feeling like your bladder is not emptying fully, needing to go to the toilet more often, or leaking a small amount of pee when you cough, sneeze or exercise.

Voiding dysfunction

Voiding dysfunction, also known as urinary retention, is the inability to voluntarily pass urine.

Vaginal prolapse surgery

Vaginal prolapse surgery (colporrhaphy) treats pelvic organ prolapse by using stitches to lift and strengthen the vaginal walls. Performed under general or spinal anesthesia, the surgeon accesses weakened tissues through the vagina, avoiding abdominal incisions. The goal is to provide long-term symptom relief and restore organ support.

Periurethral bulking

Periurethral (or urethral) bulking is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat female stress urinary incontinence (leakage during coughing, sneezing, or exercising). A gel-like substance is injected into the urethral walls to "bulk up" the tissue, creating a tighter seal that prevents accidental leaks.

Bladder installation

A bladder instillation (or wash) is a localised procedure where a sterile liquid medication is delivered directly into the bladder via a catheter. It is used to treat chronic urinary tract infections by restoring the bladder's protective lining.

Vaginal wall repair

If you have been diagnosed with vaginal prolapse you may be advised to have an operation to provide a long-term cure. This is an operation where the walls of your vagina are tightened up, usually by making a cut in the wall of your vagina and using stitches to hold the bladder, top of the vagina and lower bowel in place. The operation is done through your vagina and so you do not need a cut in your abdomen (tummy).

Vaginal hysterectomy

An operation to remove the uterus (womb) to treat uterine prolapse (dropped womb). A vaginal hysterectomy can be done under general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic (awake but numb from the waist down). The womb is removed through the vagina, so there are no cuts in your tummy,

Bladder Botox injections

Botox (botulinum toxin) bladder injections are a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure used to treat overactive bladder and urge incontinence. It works by relaxing the bladder muscle, allowing it to store more urine and reducing sudden, uncontrollable urges or leakage.

Vaginal pessaries

Vaginal pessaries are non-surgical, removable silicone or plastic devices inserted to support pelvic organs. They alleviate the dragging, bulging, and heaviness associated with pelvic organ prolapse and can also help manage stress urinary incontinence.

Urodynamics

Urodynamics is a series of tests designed to assess the function of the bladder, urethra, and associated muscles in storing and releasing urine. These tests are crucial for identifying the underlying causes of urinary incontinence and other urinary disorders.

The first step for any patient is usually an initial consultation. Unless your GP or insurer has told you otherwise, you should book your first appointment with a member of our urogynaecology team.

Our urogynaecology consultants are listed below, where there are more details of their areas of clinical interest and appointment times. Alternatively, please call our dedicated team of friendly advisors on 020 8546 6677.

At Kingston Private Health, you can either use your private health insurance or pay for your own treatment.