Pelvic Health Clinic for Women Opens at Overlake

Bellevue, Wash. – Overlake Clinics announced today the opening of the Pelvic Health Clinic, offering urology, reconstructive surgery and physical therapy services for women of all ages. 

The clinic is staffed by urogynecologist Dr. Julie LaCombe and Jeannette Proctor, ARNP, as well as physical therapists who specialize in caring for patients with pelvic floor disorders—most commonly uterine prolapse, which affects up to one-third of adult women. The clinic marks an expansion of the pelvic health program that started in 2008, when Overlake began offering advanced treatment for women’s urologic health under Dr. Elizabeth Miller, a physician with Washington Urology & Urogynecology Associates.

“Although we don’t talk about it to the extent of breast cancer, pelvic floor health is a critically important area of women’s health,” said Dr. LaCombe. “Fortunately, we have access to advances in care that run the gamut from new physical therapy treatments to minimally invasive robotic surgery.

“The entire Pelvic Health Clinic team is committed to providing a compassionate, comfortable and relaxed environment for patients to discuss all aspects of their pelvic and sexual health and well-being.”

The pelvic floor comprises the muscles, ligaments, connective tissues and nerves within the pelvic bones that help support and control the normal function of the rectum, uterus, vagina and bladder. The pelvic floor can be inherently weak, or damaged by childbirth, repeated heavy lifting, some chronic diseases, smoking or surgery.

Urogynecologists like LaCombe must complete medical school and a full residency in obstetrics and gynecology or urology, followed by an additional multi-year fellowship training.

Dr. LaCombe started her medical career working in a hospital in Florida while pursuing her undergraduate degree where she realized female patients were not always treated specifically for their needs as women. As a result, she vowed to be a staunch advocate for women’s health, and empower them to participate in their health care decisions. Additionally, LaCombe has traveled to Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, Guatemala and Bangladesh to address female pelvic health disparities by participating in gynecologic surgical medical missions.