International Urogynecology Awareness Day is Coming!

International Urogynecology Awareness Day, February 20, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the vital field of urogynecology and honoring the professionals who work tirelessly to improve women’s health. In celebration of this day, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Harold Drutz (Canada), Dr. Donald Ostergard (USA), and Dr. Mark Vierhout (The Netherlands), dedicated experts in the field.

Picture this: You and your friend Samantha are enjoying brunch at a cafe when, in the middle of great laughs, her mood suddenly changes, and you see a look of shock and discomfort in her face. She opens up about her struggles with urinary leakage. Despite her outgoing nature, this has been causing her embarrassment and affecting her daily life, making her hesitant to engage in social activities, or even enjoy simple outings without worry.

Seeing her frustration, you suggest she see a urogynecologist.
“A urogynecologist?!”, she exclaims with surprise.
With a relieved expression, knowing she’s not alone in this, you see her demeanor return to the fun-loving friend you know.

So, What Exactly is Urogynecology?

Urogynecology is a subspecialty within the field of gynecology that focuses on diagnosing and treating pelvic floor disorders in women. The pelvic floor is made up of a network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support various pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum.

The IUGA International Urogynecology Awareness Day 2026 Toolkit

Download shareable resources below and join us in spreading awareness on this important part of women’s health.

What Are the Treatment Options to Help Address These Issues?

Healthcare professionals working in the field of urogynecology employ a combination of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative approaches to manage these conditions. Treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, and surgical interventions such as reconstructive surgery and/or anti-incontinence surgery. Thus, pelvic floor dysfunction is truly a multidisciplinary issue, best treated by a multidisciplinary team. Many institutions have established specific pelvic floor clinics where all disciplines working in this field closely cooperate.

I Didn’t Know the Field of Urogynecology Existed. When and How Did It Begin?

While the term “urogynecology” may be relatively new, the health issues addressed by those working in this field are not. To shed light on this, IUGA’s History Committee, comprising many of the stalwarts in this field, delves into the trajectory, major milestones, and the field’s impact on our world from its inception to the present day.

Where Can I Find a Practicioner Working in This Field?

Your primary care physician may be able to refer you to a specialized healthcare practitioner in your area, or you can use the IUGA “Find a Provider” Directory to search for practitioners by location.

How Can I Know More About My Pelvic Floor Health?

Check out the IUGA patient website YourPelvicFloor.org for more information. This dedicated website brings together a wealth of health topics, publications, patient leaflets, patient stories, events, and other resources, all available for free in over 25 languages. Both patients and practitioners have checked the information provided to ensure it’s accurate and easy to understand.

International Urogynecology Awareness Day serves as a reminder to prioritize women’s pelvic health, encourage open conversations, and express gratitude to the countless dedicated professionals who contribute the the well-being of women around the world.

A Lasting Impact: The Legacy in Our Field

During my internship, I closely shadowed a renowned urologist, whose name I withhold out of respect. He had a standardized approach to treating young women presenting symptoms like urgency, frequency, or nocturia, employing a specialized instrument called an Otis urethrotomy. This tool, featuring a scalpel blade and a dial, was used for internal urethrotomy procedures despite the symptoms potentially arising from conditions beyond Overactive Bladder (OAB). This experience disillusioned me with pursuing urology as a career path, leading me to shift my focus towards obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN), where I completed my training, including a prestigious McLaughlin Fellowship in Canada in 1975.

Subsequent training experiences across Europe and the United States, particularly under influential figures like Stuart Stanton, Payul Donker, and Jack Robertson, further shaped my medical journey. As I approach 80, I reflect on the privilege of being mentored by esteemed professionals like Donald Ostergard while also recognizing the importance of initiatives like the new IUGA History Committee. Such efforts preserve the legacies of pioneers in the field, ensuring their contributions are honored beyond mere obituaries, a task I’ve undertaken for some of these remarkable mentors.

Harold Drutz (Canada)

Transforming Lives Through Urogynecology

Dr. Jack Robertson taught me about the various aspects of urinary incontinence and its treatment. We encountered many patients who struggled with pelvic prolapse and urinary incontinence, both of which are servere conditions. I was deeply motivated to work in a field where I could alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life. The cornerstone of urogynecology is the patients themselves. Those suffering from such debilitating conditions often find their daily lives greatly impacted.

For me, the most rewarding aspect was devising personalized solutions to address their individual needs. Witnessing their transformation from pain and discomfort to health and happiness is truly remarkable. I believe it’s crucial for patients to understand that they don’t have to endure prolapse or incontinence in silence. Effective treatments are available, and skilled physicians in this field are adept at diagnosing and guiding patients toward reclaiming their quality of life.

Donald Ostergard (USA)

To celebrate this important date, we have made available a selection of the ten most influential articles published in the International Urogynecology Journal (IUJ) in 2025.

Global Prevalence of Overactive Bladder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Lin Zhang, Nian Cai, Li Mo, Xiaofang Tian, Hongcen Liu & Bohai Yu

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Volume Restoration of the Labia Majora: ESOLANE study
Fabien Boucher, Catherine Eychenne, Brice Gurriet, Nicolas Berreni, Juan Berrocal, Phryné Foulc, Alain Levy, Adriana Guzman-Ruiz & Barbara Hersant

Phage Therapy for Urinary Tract Infections: Progress and Challenges Ahead
Chase J. Morgan, Haley Atkins, Alan J. Wolfe, Linda Brubaker, Saima Aslam, Catherine Putonti, Michael B. Doud & Lindsey A. Burnett

Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Bothersome Urinary Incontinence After Pregnancy: A Cohort Study
Sónia Cristóvão, Emelie Asplén, Josefin Borssén, Maria E. H. Larsson & Sabine Vesting

International Urogynecological Consultation Chapter 2.2: Imaging in the Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Lioudmila Lipetskaia, Ankita Gupta, Rachel Y. K. Cheung, Vik Khullar, Sharif Ismail, Megan Bradley, Roopali Karmakar, Shari Clifton, Josephine Doo & Lieschen Quiroz

Urogenital Hiatus Closure: Facts, Fallacies, and Why a Unified Theory of Hiatal Failure is Needed
John O. L. DeLancey, James A. Ashton-Miller, Jennifer LaCross, Fernanda Pipitone, Payton Schmidt & Luyun Chen

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair Using Robotic-Assisted Sacral Hysterocolpopexy vs Vaginal Surgery with the Uphold™ System: 1-Year Clinical Outcomes
Georgios Poutakidis, Christian Falconer, Daniel Altman, Ulrika Johannesson, Anju Zhang, Charlotta Ericson, Mats Stenberg, Sabine Altrock & Edward Morcos

Vaginal Laser Treatment on Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Lok Wun Yim, Osanna Yee Ki Wan, Daniel Wong, Man Sum Tam, Yun Ting Lee, Kai Wan Lee, Kwong Wai Choy, Symphorosa Shing Chee Chan & Rachel Yau Kar Cheung

Patients’ Perceptions of Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies
Nienke J. E. Osse, Marian K. Engberts, Hugo W. F. van Eijndhoven, Paul L. P. Brand & Marco H. Blanker

Association Between Cesarean Scar and Pelvic Floor Muscle Tone at 6–8 Weeks Postpartum
Li Xiao, Nan Huang, Yanbiao Zhong, Yun Luo & Maoyuan Wang

IUGA’s Public Relations Committee has produced a brief video to address fundamental questions about urogynecology: What is urogynecology? Who is a urogynecologist? What health issues do they address? When should you visit a urogynecologist?