Women often accept bladder leakage, pelvic pressure or discomfort after childbirth as a normal part of aging. The reality is that many of these conditions are highly treatable. That is why Northwell Health’s New Milford Hospital is pleased to welcome Dominique Malacarne Pape, MD, a double board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and urogynecologist and medical director of the Women’s Wellness Center.
What exactly is a urogynecologist?
A urogynecologist is a physician with advanced training in caring for women who experience disorders of the pelvic floor, the network of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus, vagina and bowel. These specialists bridge the fields of gynecology and urology, focusing on conditions that can affect a woman’s comfort, confidence and quality of life.
Dr. Pape specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pelvic health conditions. One of the most common is urinary incontinence or the involuntary leakage of urine, which can occur during exercise, coughing, sneezing or as a sudden urge to urinate. She also treats overactive bladder, a condition that causes frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom.
Another area of expertise is pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting pelvic organs weaken, allowing the bladder, uterus or other organs to shift downward. Women may describe this as a feeling of pressure, heaviness or a bulge in the vaginal area. While common, especially after childbirth or with aging, prolapse is not something women simply have to live with.
Dr. Pape also cares for women experiencing postpartum pelvic dysfunction, helping new mothers recover from childbirth-related pelvic floor issues. In addition, she treats more complex conditions such as fecal incontinence, genitourinary fistulas and urethral diverticula.
What sets modern urogynecology apart is the broad range of treatment options available. Not every patient requires surgery. Many women benefit from lifestyle modifications, medications, pelvic floor physical therapy or office-based procedures. Dr. Pape works closely with the pelvic floor therapist located in New Milford Hospital’s Shapiro Family Physical Rehabilitation office to provide convenient and coordinated outpatient pelvic floor therapy. When surgery is appropriate, Dr. Pape is trained in advanced minimally invasive techniques, including vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic approaches designed to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
Dr. Pape completed both her obstetrics and gynecology residency and fellowship training in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. She also holds certification as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and is committed to providing evidence-based menopause care as part of a comprehensive approach to women’s health.
At New Milford Hospital’s Women’s Wellness Center, Dr. Pape’s goal is straightforward: to create a welcoming environment where women feel comfortable discussing concerns that are often difficult or embarrassing to talk about. By combining specialized expertise with compassionate, patient-centered care, she is helping ensure that women throughout the region have access to advanced pelvic health services close to home.
Women experiencing bladder leakage, pelvic pressure, overactive bladder symptoms or concerns related to childbirth, menopause or pelvic floor health should know that effective treatment options are available. With the arrival of Dr. Pape, New Milford Hospital is expanding access to the specialized care women need to live healthier, more comfortable and more active lives.
“I am honored to become part of the New Milford medical community and to help expand access to exceptional women’s healthcare in our region. Our vision for the Women’s Wellness Center is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that brings together expertise, innovation and a truly personalized approach to women’s health, ” Dr. Pape says.
New Milford Hospital
21 Elm Street, New Milford, CT 06776
(860) 210-5535
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