Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
World-class treatments for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence
Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are uncomfortable but common health conditions for many women, particularly after giving birth or as a woman ages.
The urogynecology team at Penn Highlands serves the women of central Pennsylvania at locations in Connellsville and Greensburg. We offer minimally invasive surgical procedures right here in Connellsville that you would otherwise need to travel for. One such procedure treats pelvic organ prolapse with the innovative meshless EnPlace approach.
Michael Pelekanos, MD, and his team at Penn Highlands Urogynecology treat female stress incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder and other conditions affecting women’s reproductive system and urinary function. Dr. Pelekanos performs minimally invasive surgery that gets you back on your feet and back to work and your active life faster than traditional surgery. With offices in Connellsville and Greenburg, you don’t need to go far to find expert urogynecology care.
Obstetrics / Gynecology
Penn Highlands Urogynecology - Connellsville
Penn Highlands Urogynecology - Greensburg
Penn Highlands Urogynecology Services
Dr. Pelekanos offers a range of surgical and nonsurgical urogynecology services. If you have urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis or some other condition affecting your reproductive system or urinary function, call our office to schedule an evaluation. You do not need to live in discomfort any longer. Penn Highlands urogynecologists in Pennsylvania offer comprehensive treatment, including:
- Medication
- Biofeedback training
- Medical devices
- Minimally invasive surgery
Dr. Pelekanos also performs tubal reanastomosis for infertility caused by a previous tubal ligation, which is often referred to as “getting your tubes tied.” He is one of few gynecologists in central Pennsylvania to perform the surgery and does so via minimally invasive laparoscope (mini lap) under the microscope, which has less risk of infection and a shorter recovery time than open surgery. Patients who wish to conceive following tubal ligation are often referred for in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process in which a female’s eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm in a lab prior to being implanted in the uterus. However, many insurance plans do not cover IVF. On the other hand, tubal reanastomosis is covered by many insurance plans.
Penn Highlands Urogynecology Offers EnPlace for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
You don’t need to go far to get the latest treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Penn Highlands Urogynecology is one of only a handful of centers in the country to offer EnPlace, an innovative minimally invasive procedure to the treat the condition without the use of transvaginal mesh, which requires complex surgery and can result in complications.
Dr. Pelekanos is one of a select group of physicians nationally who is authorized to teach the procedure to other surgeons. He performs the outpatient surgery at Penn Highlands Connellsville. It takes less than 45 minutes and is performed through the vagina, meaning no abdominal incisions are necessary.
EnPlace can relieve pelvic organ prolapse without mesh or a biologic implant. The procedure is performed with almost zero cutting of the vaginal wall and without general anesthesia. EnPlace takes less than 45 minutes in an outpatient setting.
To learn more about EnPlace or to find out if you’re a candidate for the procedure, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pelekanos by calling 724-603-2671.
When to See a Urogynecologist
Dr. Pelekanos is an experienced gynecologist and obstetrician with special training in urogynecology. With offices in Connellsville and Greenburg, Penn Highlands Urogynecology treats:
- Stress incontinence: Caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, stress incontinence leads to urine leakage when pressure is placed on the bladder, such as during sneezing, coughing, jumping or running.
- Overactive bladder: The sudden and urgent need to urinate that can result in leaking a large volume of urine if you can’t find a bathroom soon enough. Overactive bladder has many causes: weakened pelvic floor muscles, nerve damage, obesity, and the use of alcohol or drugs and certain medications.
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress incontinence and overactive bladder.
Intrinsic sphincter deficiency: A severe form of stress incontinence that occurs when the urethral sphincter becomes too weak to function. - Pelvic organ prolapse. When the uterus, upper vagina, bowel or bladder drops, causing an uncomfortable bulge in the vagina.
- Infertility from tubal ligation: When a woman wishes to conceive after previously having her “tubes tied.”
- Endometriosis: Painful condition in which tissue that’s typically found inside the uterus grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or intestines.
- Pelvic adhesive disease: When pelvic organs become stuck together from endometriosis, scar tissue or abdominal trauma.
FAQs
Wondering what to expect at the urogynecologist?
There’s no need to be nervous. A urogynecologist is a gynecologist and obstetrician with special training in urology. During your visit, your urogynecologist will take your medical history, ask about the symptoms you’re experiencing and may perform a pelvic exam like you would receive at your annual well-woman checkup.
Urogynecology is a specialized type of women’s healthcare and isn’t offered everywhere. Dr. Pelekanos of Penn Highlands Urogynecology is the closest urogynecologist in central Pennsylvania and the only urogynecologist in the area. He has offices in Connellsville and Greenburg and performs minimally invasive surgery at Penn Highlands Connellsville.
More than half of women 65 and older experience urinary incontinence and yet most of them don’t talk to their doctor about it. If you have symptoms of urinary incontinence (such as leaking urine when you sneeze or jump) or overactive bladder (such as having sudden, strong urges to urinate) that are causing discomfort or embarrassment, talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with Penn Highlands Urogynecology.
Even if you’ve sought treatment before, this time may be different. There are devices and better medications available today that don’t have the negative side effects of older incontinence drugs. You don’t need to deal with embarrassing leakage or the inconvenience of running to the bathroom everywhere you go.
There is no cure for endometriosis, but treatment is available to manage the symptoms. Make an appointment with Penn Highlands Urogynecology if you experience symptoms of endometriosis, including:
- Painful periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Painful urination or bowel movements during period
- Inability to conceive
