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PRoviders
Finding care for pelvic floor problems can be challenging in British Columbia. Our goal is to help women and their physicians navigate this pathway. There are a number of important considerations:
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Are you suffering from bladder, bowel, or support problems?
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What is the best type of provider to treat that problem, and that will depend on what type of treatment is desired?
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Who is the closest provider that meets these needs and what is their wait time?
The Network will help identify the right provider based on these considerations.
Pelvic floor disorders cross traditional medical specialties. The BCPFDN brings specialists from different disciplines together to optimize your care. Some providers specialize in conservative treatments, while other focus on surgery, and some provide both types of treatments. Please see below for additional information on different types of providers.
We also often work as multi-disciplinary teams, so you may see multiple providers during your evaluation and treatment.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist is a Physiotherapist who is specialized in the care of women with pelvic floor disorders.
After physiotherapy school, they pursue additional training in techniques for treatment of pelvic floor conditions.
Your doctor may refer you to a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist for nonsurgical management of prolapse, or troublesome urine or stool leakage.
Other reasons for seeing a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist include: problems with pelvic or bladder pain.
Urologist
A Urologist is a surgeon who is specialized in the care of kidneys and the bladder. After medical school, they pursue residency training in Urology that provides expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to the kidneys and bladder.
Your doctor may refer you to a Urologist for troublesome urine leakage or voiding problems.
Some Urologists have focused their practices on pelvic floor problems.
Sex counselor
A Sex Counselor is a provider who is specialized in the care of women with sexual problems. Many are trained as Psychologists.
Your doctor may refer you to a Sex Counselor as part of your evaluation and treatment for pelvic floor problems.
Nurse continence advisor
A Nurse Continence Advisor is a nurse who is specialized in the care of women with continence and pelvic floor disorders. After nursing school, they pursue additional training in continence that provides expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pelvic floor conditions.
Your doctor may refer you to a Nurse Continence Advisor for prolapse, or troublesome urine or stool leakage.
Other reasons for seeing a Nurse Continence Advisor include: pessary fittings, and training with continence devices.
Gynaecologist
A Gynaecologist is a surgeon who is specialized in the care of women. After medical school, they pursue residency training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology that provides expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gynaecological conditions.
Your doctor may refer you to a Gynaecologist for prolapse, or troublesome urine or stool leakage.
Some Gynaecologists have focused their practices on pelvic floor problems.
Colorectal Surgeon
A Colorectal Surgeon is a physician who is specialized in the care of diseases of the colon and rectum. After medical school, they pursue residency training in General Surgery, followed by subspecialist fellowship training that provides expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the colon and rectum.
Your doctor may refer you to a Colorectal Surgeon for stool leakage or constipation.
Some Colorectal Surgeons have focused their practices on pelvic floor problems.
Urogynaecologist
A Urogynaecologist is a surgeon who is specialized in the care of women with pelvic floor disorders. After medical school and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Urology, they pursue additional subspecialty fellowship training in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery that provides expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pelvic floor conditions.
Your doctor may refer you to a Urogynaecologist for prolapse, or troublesome urine or stool leakage.
Other reasons for consulting a Urogynecologist include: problems with emptying the bladder or rectum, bladder pain, fistulas, and complications of gynaecologic surgery.