1. Surprising Benefits of Sex Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Yeast Infection Quiz
3. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

Urinary tract infection

While urinary tract infection treatment is generally uncomplicated, if not treated promptly, these infections can cause permanent scarring of the urinary tract. In a very severe infection, pyelonephritis can allow spread of bacteria to the bloodstream and cause a severe infection (sepsis) requiring hospitalization. An estimated 1% to 3% of people with pyelonephritis die; though death is rare in otherwise healthy people, factors associated with poor outcome or death include poor health, kidney stones, recent hospitalizations, diabetes, sickle cell disease, cancer, or chronic kidney disease.

Bladder control problems

The good news for women with bladder control problems is that while treatment may not result in cure, symptoms are reduced in most cases. An estimated 90% of people with stress incontinence experience either improvement or cure. An estimated 44% of people with urge incontinence experience cure and 83% have an improvement in symptoms.

Bladder prolapse

Most cases of prolapsed bladder are mild and can be treated with or without surgery. Severely prolapsed bladders can be completely corrected with surgery. This condition is rarely life threatening.

Must Read Articles Related to Urologic Dysfunction After Menopause

Bedwetting Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is the involuntary passage of urine while sleeping. Causes of bedwetting include urinary tract infection, diabetes, emotional pr...learn more >>

Bladder Control Problems Bladder control problems, or urinary incontinence, affect over 13 million people in the U.S. Causes include urinary tract infection, overactive bladder, blocked...learn more >>

Cystoscopy Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder. This is done either to look at the bladder for abnormalities or to help with surgery being...learn more >>

See the Entire Urologic Dysfunction After Menopause Topic Guide »