Dr. Benjamin Wisner recently became the only urologist in Colorado and one of 143 nationwide to be certified in reconstructive surgery to treat female incontinence and pelvic issues that commonly cause women to limit their lifestyles.

Dr. Wisner, UCHealth urologist who practices in Fort Collins and Loveland, received subspecialty certification from the American Board of Urology in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

Conditions such as an overactive bladder, difficulty in urinating, involuntary release of urine and lack of support of the pelvic organs are often problems that women hide due to the delicacy of the subject, Wisner said. These symptoms commonly increase with age.

“Many women are often reluctant to discuss these issues with their doctor,” said Wisner. “Sadly, many women limit their lives because they do not know that urinary incontinence and related issues can be treated effectively.”

Urinary incontinence is extremely common in adult women, affecting approximately 25 percent of young women, up to 57 percent of middle-aged and postmenopausal women and approximately 75 percent of older women in nursing homes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are many treatments available for urinary incontinence and a treatment program may include exercises, medication, or possibly surgery.

In addition to urinary incontinence, many women suffer from a loss of support of the vagina, bladder and uterus as they age. Based on a patient’s need, Dr. Wisner can recommend various non-surgical options as well as surgical procedures used to correct these problems.

The Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery certification began in 2013 and was designed to recognize physicians who specialize in treating incontinence, prolapse and a host of other common problems in women. “I am very excited to be able to offer these services to my patients,” said Wisner.

Subspecialty certification “requires extensive training and a rigorous review of a doctor’s knowledge, experience and skill in a medical specialty,” according to HealthGrades, a company that develops safety ratings of health care providers.

About University of Colorado Health

UCHealth is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. UCHealth combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Colorado Health Medical Group, and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. UCHealth partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and numerous community organizations to provide care. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.