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Dr. Denise Elser

Gynecology
Oak Lawn, IL
female

Locations

Office

Oak Lawn, IL

Address

5716 W 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL
Directions

Practice website

About

Bio

Dr Elser is a Urogynecologist and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon. As a urogynecologist, she specializes in the treatment of "pelvic floor disorders", typically urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse but also bowel dysfunction. As a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, she promotes nonsurgical treatment of gynecologic disorders when possible, but when surgery is needed, beleives it should be done vaginally or laparoscopically, whenever feasible, as this is the best approach for most women. Dr Elser serves on a national committee that helps write "guidelines" for gynecologic practice. She spends a fair amount of time educating legislators in Illinois and in DC regarding best policies for the health of the women in our country.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Gynecology

Languages spoken

English

Doctor Q&A

197 Answers
105 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Can worsen it: Stress incontinence is a term that refers to sudden spurts of urine loss with physical stress on the bladder, and has nothing to do with emotional str... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
IUD, OCP: Novasure is one type of "global" endometrial ablation (gea).Geas are relatively low risk. In gea, a device is inserted to heat or freeze the uterine l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
6 weeks: The usual recommendation is to avoid vaginal intercourse, or anything in the vagina for 6 weeks. This allows the stitches at the top of the vagina to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Vagina self cleans: Your vagina cleans itself through natural secretions. Douching is not recommended, as it washes away 'good' bacteria, protective secretions and change... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
High tech/small cuts: Hysterectomy can be performed vaginally, laparoscopically, robotically, or open (large abdominal incision). These are listed in order of invasiveness.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Quite possibly: Many herbs have some hormonal effect on the bodies own hormone receptors. This may result in altered menstrual or breast health.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Physical stress: The term "stress" incontinence has nothing to do with emotional stress but instead means physical stress in the abdomen which increases bladder pressu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Yes, real: Cystocele is the term for bladder pushing into vagina. Basically, this is a type of hernia, the wall between the bladder and vagina has weakness and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Many choices: Kegels (best is course of pelvic floor physical therapy), vaginal pessary (placed by gyne or urogyn), periurethral injection (office procedure for sev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Many possibilities: It depends if the pain occurs at rest, only with movement, only during sex, with or after urination. Is it sharp, burning, throbbing? Are you pre or... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Imbalance: The gardnerella bacteria is present normally in the vaginas of most women. Change in hormones, vaginal ph, stress, leads to imbalance or xs gardnerell... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Limited choices: 3 options with prolapse: live with it, wear a pessary, or surgical correction. Ways to help symptoms but not reverse condition: kegel exercises, avoid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Depends: There are essentially 2 types of "post-coital" (after sex) contraception (birth control): hormonal pills or copper iud. The pills are Progesterone o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
A # of options: Progesterone IUD (mirena) is a very good option. Uterine artery embolization (radiologic procedure) or endometrial ablation (freeaing or heating to in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 54-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Pessary, exercise: Options for women with cystocele are limited. Cystocele or dropped bladder is a form of pelvic organ prolapse (pop). Think of this as a type of hernia... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Many options: Depend on types of incontinence. Stress incontinence (sui) options are pelvic muscle exercise (pelvic floor physical therapy), pessary, medication, ra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Absolutely not: After a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), the vagina continues to function as a sexual organ. A total hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Depends: Overactive bladder (oab): medication can take about 4 weeks, physical therapy 4-12 weeks, neuromodulation 6-12 wks. Stress incontinence (sui): pelvi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Might be: Bleeding after intercourse is always concerning. It coudl be something as simple as a small tear in the vaginal skin or impending period, but could be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Depends on age: Adolescents may not have pelvic exam but couselling, education. Sexually active women over age 21 will undergo pap testing and std testing as indicate... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Move when you can: Park at the far end of the parking lot; skip the elevator- walk up one flight, down two flights. My kids' sports coach taught them- you can watch tv i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Think muscles: ?Pelvic floor hypertonicity disorder (pfhd). Some women have high tone in pelvis. Sexual activity causes the muscles to contract more thus more spasm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Difficult: Pubic lice can be spread by clothing or bedding. O/w unless you put on underwear or bathing suit when it is moist right after someone with infection w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Blood test: Age of partner doesn't matter. If you have sores, a culture may be helpful. If not a blood test within a few weeks can be helpful. There are 2 types o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Topical estrogen: If you have no contraindications, then using topical estrogen (cream, vaginal tablet, vaginal ring) is the best preventive. Vaginal moisturizers, (not... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Maybe: Fibroids can cause excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding, but more important than the size is what part of the uterus they are growing in. If the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
May be none: Gc and chlamydia can cause a heavy vaginal discharge with an odor but can be completely asymptomatic, espcially chlamydia. While tubal infections can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
No: Bethanechol is a medication that acts as a cholinergic agent and in theory causes the bladder muscle to contract. In theory it sounds good, in practic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Luckily - a few: Botox just received fda approval for treatment of neurogenic overactive bladder. It is used off label for oab of other causes. Posterior tibial nerv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Yes: The nerve centers in the sacrum are very important for bladder function. One of the most important centers is at s3. Loss of s3 function can cause urg... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Yes: Fibroids are extremely common and there is a genetic predisposition or tendency to develop them. Fibroids are the #1 cause of hysterectomy. In one stu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Leak w/pressure: Stress incontinence is due to a combination of weak ligaments and weak pelvic muscles. Commonly associated w/weakness caused by vaginal childbirth but... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Urine leakage: Urinary incontinence (ui) is the unintended loss of urine or urine leakage. The most common types of ui in women are stress (sui) and urge incontinen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Cramping, discharge: After an endometrial ablation, women have varying severity and duration of cramps and vaginal discharge. The discharge is typically watery and clear a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Not always: Excessive estrogen, whether endogenous (produced by one's own body) or exogenous (taken as supplement) can overstimulate the uterine lining (endometri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Not typical: Most common symptoms of yeast infection in women: itching/ white discharge. Can cause pain/ burning with urination or sexual activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Vaginal hernia: Pelvic organ prolapse includes: cystocele (dropped bladder), rectocele (bulging rectal wall), uterine prolapse (dropped womb) and vaginal vault prolap... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Not always: Sometimes it leads to symptoms of frequency, urgency, pressure or frequent infections. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, with absolute... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Imbalance: All healthy women have a mix of bacteria & some yeast in the vagina. An imbalance in the vagina, such as change in ph, blood flow, amount of bacteria ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Indefinitely: By total hysterectomy, i assume you mean the uterus, tubes & ovaries were removed. Surgical menopause (removing ovaries before menopause) can cause mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Kids & hormones: Our (women's) pelvis is built with large opening in the bone to let us birth a child. That opening, at the bottom of our body & supporting all our wei... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Yes: No: pregnant, breastfeeding, current uterine/cervical infection, liver disease, allergy to iud, current breast ca, some women with uterine anomalies (... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Pills and copper IUD: Combination emergency contraceptive pills prevent ovulation, thicken the cervical mucus decreasing sperm movement &may interfere with ovarian release ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Dropped bladder: Women can devleop "hernias" in which the support layers & ligaments in the pelvis give way and 1 or more organs 'fall" or bulge into the vagina or eve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 54-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Maybe: For pelvic exams: depends on why you had the hysterectomy, did you keep your cervix or have it removed. You may still need paps. Other reasons: do yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Few exist: I will assume that you are referring to nonsurgical devices for women. 1) pessaries can be worn vaginally and put pressure on the bladder opening (u... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Absolutely: A number of conditions from stroke, parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, spinal stenosis, neuropathy, spinal cord injury, spina bifida and pelvic nerve inj... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Sometimes: Some types of incontinence( urge incontinence) are chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Behavioral therapy, exercise, medication, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Couple of Causes: Women have varying amount of natural vaginal secretions. Normal secretions flush the vagina, maintain normal ph, adequate moisture for intercourse. Wo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Denise Elser
Specializes in Gynecology
Yes: Can dilate the urethra and stretch nerves/ muscle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

5
Recommendations
678
Thank you notes
Jul 9, 2012
Great replies and educational content for patients
HealthTap member
Nov 2, 2012
I have no idea what my lifestyle would be if not for Dr. Elser! I've been her patient since the 90's and have been through many health issues with Dr. Elser. Dr. Elser and her staff have been so cari...Read More
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Elser is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you I suppose this casuses pain alsoI have ha d severe abdominal pain and dr is saying a second surgery to fix it again the mesh erode
HealthTap member
Hi, there were zero abnormal findings on pap testing. Just visible cervical polyps. Are polyps caused by HPV. Thanks
HealthTap member
Thank you so much! They gave her Lortab for the pain, and our gyn doesn't do surgery. I might take her to the ER.

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