Pelvic Health & Incontinence

With fellowship training in pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, neurourology, urodynamics and female pelvic medicine, our team treats even the most complicated cases of incontinence.

Urinary incontinence and bladder dysfunction are treated in conjunction with urology, colorectal surgery, physical rehabilitation and psychology services. Whether it’s an advancement in robotic surgery, reconstruction or another treatment technique, this team’s goal is to promote overall pelvic health with individualized comprehensive treatment plans.

Our expertise and vast experience means we can help - even when previous treatments or surgeries have been unsuccessful. We are a primary referral center for the state of Connecticut and the southern New England region, performing numerous complex incontinence procedures.

Pioneering Experts in Treating Urinary Incontinence

Accurately diagnosing the cause of incontinence is vital to effective treatment. Our Pelvic Health Team is co-led by urologist Richard Kershen, MD, and urogynecologist Elisabeth Sappenfield, MD. The high standards of care set by our practice are often adopted by others, and we were the first in Connecticut to develop a urogynecology fellowship training program to train the next generation of incontinence specialists.

Experts in Treating Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Our team has contributed significantly to clinical research projects that have helped to advance this field. For instance, we pioneered laparoscopic, robotic surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in the Northeast. Many patients have incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse simultaneously, and we are one of the few practices that can surgically treat both at the same time, avoiding multiple surgeries.

Reconstructive Urological Surgery Experts

Our urologic surgeons pride themselves on being able to provide patients with one of the most powerful “medications” – hope. Patients turn to us for revision surgeries for vaginal mesh complications, failed anti-incontinence surgeries or unsuccessful prior prolapse surgery.

As leaders in prostate cancer treatment, we also specialize in post-prostatectomy incontinence and treat more patients than any other local institution. Some of the complex reconstructive surgeries we specialize in include procedures for urethral diverticula and vesicovaginal fistulas. We are also experts in urethral reconstruction, offering patients with painful urethral stricture disease successful urethraplasty surgical options.

Neurogenic Bladder Treatment Experts

People with damaged central nervous system nerves often suffer from neurogenic bladder. With conditions like spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease, people can lose proper control over their bladder function. As neurourology experts with specialized training in urodynamic testing, our team can identify the physiology of the underlying causes of bladder dysfunction. We help people with neurogenic bladder live healthier, more comfortable lives.

Pelvic Health & Incontinence

• Voices for PFD (Pelvic Floor Disorder)

Pelvic Health and Incontinence at the Tallwood Institute

Our Pelvic Health and Incontinence Physicians: