Urogynaecology services

The urogynaecology service provides assessment, investigations and treatment for women of all ages with urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse, recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder pain and pelvic floor injury after childbirth.

Clinic information

We provide urogynaecology services at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Our clinics are run by a multidisciplinary team that consists of consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and women’s health physiotherapists. The service also works closely with the Urology department. 

Conditions we treat

We provide advice and treatment for the following:

  • Urinary incontinence
  • Uterovaginal prolapse
  • Voiding problems
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Childbirth related perineal trauma.

What to expect at your appointment

During outpatient appointments, we can provide advice on:

  • Urinary stress incontinence (when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh)
  • Overactive bladder conditions with symptoms of urgency and frequency
  • Medicines for incontinence or nocturea (an increased need to pass urine at night)
  • Continence +/- prolapse surgery.
We also offer:
  • Bladder retraining therapy to help you learn how to hold more urine in the bladder
  • Teaching of intermittent self-catheterisation, so you can learn to insert a urinary catheter into your bladder to help it empty fully
  • Pelvic floor exercise therapy
  • Insertion of a pessary (prosthetic device) for management of urinary incontinence of pelvic floor prolapse
  • Trial without catheter (TWOC) clinics - this is a specialist service for women who have a catheter in situ for antenatal/postnatal/post-surgical reasons and require it to be removed to establish if they can pass urine adequately without any problems
  • Urodynamic tests to to assess the function of the bladder and urethra. This includes cystometry, uroflowmetry, pressure flow studies, electromyography and video-urodynamics tests
  • A specialist perineal service that looks after women who have sustained a tear in their anal sphincter (the ring of muscles that open and close the anus).
Surgical procedures include:
  • Vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair
  • Colposuspension
  • Bulkamid transurethral bulking injections
  • Botox bladder injections
  • Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)
  • Vaginal reconstruction surgery
  • Anal sphincter repair.

Your appointment

Please see our main gynaecology page for information about outpatient appointments and how to prepare.

How do I get a referral?

You must be referred by your GP.