Honoring Bladder Health Month! Originally Published September 2024.

In this episode of Fempower Health, Dr. Tamra Lewis, a board-certified urogynecologist, discusses bladder health, UTI misdiagnoses, and how pelvic floor dysfunction, menopause, and the microbiome impact bladder issues in women. Learn how to advocate for better care and understand your symptoms.

Bladder Health Episode Summary

In this episode of Fempower Health, we sit down with Dr. Tamra Lewis, a board-certified urologist specializing in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (also known as urogynecology). Dr. Lewis shares her expertise on common bladder health issues affecting women, many of which are frequently misdiagnosed as urinary tract infections (UTIs). We explore the importance of accurate diagnoses, the potential causes of bladder issues, and how women can better advocate for themselves in healthcare settings. This episode is essential listening for women seeking clarity on their bladder health and for clinicians looking to improve patient outcomes.

Discussion Points:

• Why are so many women misdiagnosing themselves with UTIs?
• What are the common symptoms of bladder problems in women?
• How can women better describe bladder issues to their healthcare provider?
• What are the underlying causes of frequent bladder issues in women?
• How can you tell the difference between a UTI and other bladder problems?
• Why is it important to have a pelvic exam for bladder issues?
• How does pelvic floor dysfunction contribute to bladder symptoms?
• What are the most effective treatments for overactive bladder?
• How can you prevent recurring urinary tract infections?
• What role does menopause play in bladder health?
• What is the impact of the microbiome on bladder health and UTIs?
• Why should women advocate for more thorough evaluations from their doctors?

"It's easier to treat a small problem than to let a small problem become a bigger problem." - Dr. Tamra Lewis
Related to this Bladder Health episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Tamra Lewis and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Check out Fempower Health resources on Pelvic Health

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Fempower Health Guest Bio

Dr. Tamra Lewis holds board certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She practices in Lake, Kane, and Cook Counties, and her hospital affiliations include Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Ascension Saint Alexius, and Hoffman Estates Surgery Center.

Dr. Lewis received her B.A. in Biology from Luther College in 1994, and she obtained her Medical Doctorate in 1999 from the University Of Iowa College Of Medicine. In 2005, Dr. Lewis completed her Surgical and Urology residencies at the University of Nebraska and then went on to complete a fellowship in Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction at Metro Urology in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

Dr. Lewis’s professional interests include management of incontinence, voiding dysfunction, bladder prolapse, and urinary tract infections. She is a member of the American Urological Association, the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology, the Society for Women in Urology, and The Chicago Urological Society, where she currently serves as President. Dr. Lewis has been an invited speaker or presenter for numerous events on topics including incontinence, overactive bladder, hematuria, and urinary tract infections.

In her spare time, Dr. Lewis enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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