A Message of Hope from Urogynecologist,

Richard M. Wood, M.D.:

I know your story.  You are a woman with urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, or pelvic floor prolapse.  Incontinence means you lose urine when you did not plan to do so and prolapse means some or all of your pelvic organs are falling down (bladder, uterus, rectum).  You believe one of two things, your problems are very unique, or that there is no help for you.  You are starting to, or already have isolated yourself socially and sexually and only you know why.

First, I want to convince you that your problems are not unique.  As many as half of the women you know suffer silently.  The huge aisle at the supermarket marked “Incontinence Care” speaks volumes.  Sadly, billions of dollars a year are spent by women to soak up lost urine.  The truth is that most can have their problems eliminated and use those dollars to enjoy life again.

Next, I want you to know that if you had prior failed treatments there is the possibility that they were not the most effective therapy, or perhaps were inappropriate for your condition.

Unfortunately, many women have been and continue to be subjected to physicians such as urologists, and general gynecologists who lack the specific training and skills necessary to help women with incontinence and prolapse conditions. With regard to the urology office, most women do not enjoy sitting in a waiting room with a bunch of men staring at them. Neither do they enjoy getting the routine male-based cystoscopic examination to rule out a prostate tumor as the source of their incontinence and being told their bladder looks “perfect.”   The woman with incontinence is not helped by knowing her bladder that behaves like the devil, looks like an angel.  Women deserve a physician who addresses female-based bladder behavior problems.  On the other hand, the general Gynecologist approach is usually to remove things. Many believe taking out your uterus (hysterectomy) will fix your prolapse, or that tacking up your bladder (anterior repair), or removing fibroids will eliminate your incontinence.  If you had these treatments, you know they fail.  Women deserve better treatment.

I am an Urogynecologist, trained specifically to diagnose and treat women for bladder control and prolapse conditions.  Urogynecologists know that loss of urine with laughing, lifting, sneezing, coughing, and intercourse is caused by the small tube called the urethra that drains your bladder; not the bladder itself.  They understand that these conditions are best served by retro-pubic polypropylene mesh slings (a.k.a. “TVT”), and not trans-obturator, cadaver, or pig tissue slings.  The retro-pubic polypropylene mesh sling is the gold standard treatment in the world.

This web site is not designed to define the many terms and conditions associated with a woman’s pelvic floor but rather to let you know there is expert help available to you.  Ninety-percent of women who seek help, will be helped, regardless of prior treatments, serious medical ailments, or duration of their problem.

Practice Philosophy:

My philosophy is that when you’re ready for treatment you will reach out for help.  Before then it does you little good to search the internet learning about a multitude of conditions, and treatments that may not be specific to your needs.  When you see me, you will get an exam followed by a computer generated description of your problem along with potential treatment options with a risk and benefit analysis.  The treatments I offer are among the latest, most effective, minimally invasive therapies in the world.  Minimally invasive means you have surgery and go home the same day allowing you  to return to work and life quickly. For example, after surgery for incontinence alone, many women return to work after two days.  For more extensive prolapse surgeries, most women return to work within seven days.  I trained at Yale New Haven Hospital. I am board certified in gynecology with special training in diagnosing and treating women’s pelvic floor disorders.  My practice is limited exclusively to pelvic floor restoration and incontinence conditions.  I do not offer any general gynecology, nor hysterectomies.  Through the grace of God I have eliminated incontinence for several thousand women.

Practice Design:

I have offer three locations throughout New York’s Hudson Valley (Kingston NY, Hudson NY, Cornwall NY).  I am the sole provider at all the sites, no partners or assistants.  There is a nurse, Deb Brown, who works by my side in the offices.  Deb and I personally manage all the phone calls and appointments.    Your time is important.  You will receive a complete evaluation and treatment plan at your first visit.  My goal is to eliminate your pelvic floor and bladder control conditions so you can get back to a normal life style.  Please see some of the beautiful letters I have received under testimonials.