UPMC Magee-Womens Center for Bladder and Pelvic Health

UPMC Magee-Womens Center for Bladder and Pelvic Health is a multidisciplinary resource with a comprehensive, women-centered approach.

Women of all ages and races can suffer from bladder and pelvic floor disorders. The pelvic floor is a combination of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs — the bladder, vagina, uterus, and rectum. The pelvic floor can be weakened by a combination of factors such as childbirth, heavy lifting, the effects of menopause and aging, and other chronic medical and neurologic conditions.

Although problems do become more common with advancing age, even young women can be affected.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Magee-Womens Center for Bladder and Pelvic Health at 412-641-7850.

Reasons to Visit Our Center

Referrals to the center can be made through a patients primary care physician or gynecologist. Many women self-refer, so a physician's referral is not necessary.

Some of the symptoms women experience can include:

• Leaking of urine or stool.
• Difficulty with bowel movements.
• Pelvic pain or pressure.

Pelvic floor disorders significantly compromise the quality of women’s lives, which may result in depression, social isolation, and avoidance of physical and sexual activity due to discomfort and embarrassment. Our experts are dedicated to improving the quality of our patients' lives.

Pelvic Floor Conditions We Treat

In a private, confidential setting, treatment is available for all of the following conditions:

• Urinary incontinence (leaking of urine).
• Fecal incontinence (passing of gas or stool involuntarily).
• Pelvic organ prolapse (weakening of pelvis muscles).
• Dropping of uterus, bladder, rectum, or intestine.
• Pelvic pain.
• Overactive bladder symptoms.
• Voiding disorders such as urinary retention.
• Chronic urinary tract infections.
• Interstitial Cystitis (painful bladder syndrome). 

Our Services

The Magee-Womens Center for Bladder and Pelvic Health offers patients a comprehensive blend of services to bring relief for the conditions listed above. Office procedures and evaluations may include:

• Cystoscopy.
• Cystometry.
• Bladder installations.
• Bladder Botox.
• Pessary fittings and cleanings.
• Pelvic floor injections.
• PTNS treatment. 
• Pundendal nerve block. 
• Transurethral bulking.
• Urodynamic studies. 
• Vaginal and robotic/laparoscopic assisted surgeries (for the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.)

Our goal is to restore function and improve quality of life for every woman. To do this we use the most current research and clinical standards to create individualized treatment plans that may include behavioral, medical, non-surgical, and surgical options.

Chronic Pelvic and Bladder Pain Clinic

The Chronic Pelvic and Bladder Pain Clinic is an expanded service of the Endometriosis Center for patients experiencing bladder, pelvic, and sexual pain. Patients are seen at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

Some of the services offered include:

• Assessment by a pelvic floor physical therapist through on-site Women’s Rehab Services.
• Behavioral health counselors and mental health services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 724-720-3000.

Robotic Assisted Surgery

Magee offers robotic assisted surgery and our experts have access to both a dual-console da Vinci ® Surgical System and a Senhance® Surgical system for procedures.

Our Experts

• Mary F. Ackenbom, MD, MSc
• Amanda M. Artsen, MD, MSc
• Michael J. Bonidie, MD
• Megan S. Bradley, MD
• Jocelyn J. Fitzgerald, MD
• Lauren E. Giugale, MD
• Stephanie Glass Clark, MD 
• Pamela A. Moalli, MD, PhD
• Gnankang Sarah Napoe, MD
• Halina M. Zyczynski, MD

Physician Assistants

• Kara Albrecht, PA-C
• Shea Hem, PA-C
• Beth Klump, PA-C
• Lauren C. Kunkle, PA-C, MPAS
• Hunter Yedlowski, PA-C

Our Locations

Our experts see patients in the following locations:

• Northern Allegheny County (Cranberry/ Lemieux Sports Complex, Butler, Natrona, UPMC Passavant).
• Hermitage.
• Franklin, Clarion.
• Erie.
• Bethel Park.
• Oakland (Magee).
• McKeesport.
• Eastern suburbs (Irwin, Delmont).
• Eastern Pa. (Ebensburg).
• Somerset.