Aurora Center for Continence & Pelvic Floor Disorders

Jeanette Hollenback would move mountains for her son, Garrett. Infact, that is also how she describes his delivery. "He was a large baby, but none of that mattered when my healthy boy was born,", she recalls. But even if the memory of the birth faded, a lingering problem remained.

"Garrett was so big, his delivery left me with the initial development of pelvic organ prolapse," explains Jeanette. "At first it wasn't so bothersome, but combined with the development of endometriosis, I was experiencing a lot of pain discomfort and the annoying continence issues as I tried to live my daily life."

But as the years went on, the problem worsened for Jeanette. "The pain from the endometriosis was so bad I could barely function. And I didn't feel comfortable addressing the incontinence with my doctor at first. But then I found myself avoiding activities I used to enjoy because I was worried about how I was going to feel, or if what I was doing might trigger a problem. I even found myself shying away from physical activities with my son. Then I knew I needed to talk with my doctor."

At her annual exam, Jeanette talked with OB/GYN, Mary Lynn, DO, about the problem. Dr. Lynn referred her to Michael (Tom) Morgolis, MD, a fellowship-trained pelvic surgeon and urogynecologist with the Centre for Continence and Pelvic Floor Disorders at the Aurora Women's Pavilion of West Allis Memorial Hospital and Aurora Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Margolis has over 15 years of experience and state-of-the-art expertise in treating urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and complex pelvic floor disorders, and leads the center's multidisciplinary team of care providers.

"Jeanette's situation is very common," explains Dr.Margolis. "Many women experience urinary incontinence as a result of multiple or challenging childbirths, repetitive pounding exercise like running or aerobics, or even from the lack of muscle tone that develops as they age. Her situation was complicated by numerous surgeries she has had ot treat endometriosis. But despite how common incontinence is, it certainly doesn't mean women have to accept it and find a way to live with it." In fact, there are many viable treatment options.

From minimally-invasive treatments and drug therapies to the latest in surgical care; the Centre for Continence and Pelvic Floor Disorders offers:

• Assessment and care or sensitive medical conditions like urinary incontinence along with other pelvic floor concerns
• A multidisciplinary team of women's health specialists including nurses and pelvic floor rehab specialists who focus exclusively on continence issues
• Personalized treatment plans to address your individual concerns

"Urinary incontinence is a symptom of an underlying health issue," describes Dr. Margolis. "I discuss the conerns of the patient and review the medical history at length. Ater a thorough physical exam, I then discuss the cause of the problem and present treatment options appropriate for her. When we assess all this information, we are able to offer very personalized recommendations that will address the cause of the incontinence, and significantly impact these women's quality of life."

"I'm so glad I didn't let my modesty keep me from talking to my doctor about my problem for even one more day," shares Jeanette. "I was so impressed with how discreet and caring the staff at the Centre for Continence and Pelvic Floor Disorders was. It made an uncomfortable situation manageable. Talking with my doctor about this was the best thing I could have done. I can give my son something he hasn't had in quite a while, a mom who is smiling and laughing all the time."

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Margolis, call the Center for Continence and Pelvic Floor Disorders at Aurora Women's Pavilion or Aurora Sinal Medical Center at 1-414-937-5707.