NATICK, Mass., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) is further supporting the advancement of women's health as the founding sponsor of the American Urogynecologic Society's new patient website, Take the Floor – Voices of PFD, which launches at the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting, September 14 – 17 in Providence, RI.

The portal (www.voicesforpfd.org) is designed to serve as an interactive, online community for female patients to learn more about their disease and available treatment options in a private and convenient manner.  The website provides access to a range of valuable resources to help women find a local physician and prepare for a discussion of their condition.  Patient videos and online discussions allow patients to connect with others who may be experiencing pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), as well as pose questions to PFD physician experts.

"Boston Scientific's continued education, clinical research, and patient-focused events, coupled with our exclusive sponsorship of AUGS' new patient portal, reflect our commitment to patient care," said John Pedersen, Senior Vice President and President of Boston Scientific's Urology and Women's Health Division.  "As part of our dedication to manufacturing and marketing high quality and safe products, we will continue to ensure that accurate and complete information is provided to physicians and their patients so they can make fully informed decisions regarding PFD treatment options."

"Pelvic floor disorders can be an embarrassing issue for women to discuss, but the goals of this portal are to educate women on these common conditions and begin a more open dialogue of this subject," said Sandy Culbertson, M.D., Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon and AUGS Public Relations Committee Chair.  "It is important to raise awareness for those suffering in silence from PFD so they can take the first steps toward seeking treatment from their doctor."

An estimated 28.1 million women(1) in the U.S. live with at least one pelvic floor disorder.  The two most common conditions are urinary incontinence, defined as the involuntary leakage of urine or inability to hold urine, and pelvic organ prolapse, a medical condition that occurs when the normal support of the vagina is lost, resulting in "sagging" or dropping of the bladder, uterus or rectum.  Women often suffer in silence with these conditions due to embarrassment about their symptoms.  One published study(2) reported that a third of women wait at least one to five years before seeking medical treatment while a quarter of women wait more than five years.  

Boston Scientific's Women's Health business offers products for pelvic floor reconstruction, as well as a complete line of mid-urethral sling systems for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.  Boston Scientific is presenting its latest innovations at Booth 507 in the Exhibition Hall.

U.S. law restricts medical devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.  

About AUGS

Founded in 1979, the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) is the premier society dedicated to research and education in urogynecology, and the detection, prevention and treatment of female lower urinary tract disorders and pelvic floor disorders.  For more information, visit http://www.augs.org/.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.  For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.  

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(1) Wu JM et al., Forecasting the Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in U.S. Women: 2010 to 2050. Obstet Gynecol 2009 Dec; 114(6): 1278-83.

(2) Norton et al., Distress and Delay Associated with Urinary Incontinence, Frequency, and Urgency in Women. BMJ 1988: Vol 297.

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation