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- Halina M. Zyczynski, MD
Halina M. Zyczynski, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh; Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery; Medical Director, MWRI Erie Campus and MW-Hamot CTRC; Investigator, MWRI
Up to a third of women experience pelvic organ prolapse, and bowel and bladder incontinence. These intimate symptoms erode their confidence and quality of life. Our clinical trials capture the voices and experiences of women who might otherwise struggle privately. I am inspired by their bravery, their generosity, and their willingness to partner with us in discovery of better treatments.
Halina M. Zyczynski, MD
Research in Brief
Dr. Zyczynski is a practicing urogynecologist, clinician scientist and contributing investigator of multicenter clinical trials of traditional and emerging treatments for pelvic floor disorders conducted by the NIDDK Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network, the NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and PCORI. She has held numerous national positions including president of the American Urogynecologic Society, executive board of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her research interests include establishing the effectiveness of surgical and medical interventions for urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse with the overarching goal of providing patients, and physicians guidance for shared decision making, informing to the risks, benefits, and outcomes of treatments. She is a committed educator to rising women’s health experts and advocates for extending access to research to women living in rural communities. She serves as the medical director of the Magee-Womens Research Institute, Erie Campus.
Current Projects
- Investigating long-term clinical outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence
- Randomized trial of prevention strategies for recurrent urinary tract infections
- Expanding access to clinical trials in northwestern Pennsylvania
Selected Publications
- Richter HE, Sridhar A, Nager CW, Komesu YM, Harvie HS, Zyczynski HM, et al. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Characteristics associated with composite surgical failure over 5 years of women in a randomized trial of sacrospinous hysteropexy with graft vs vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jan;228(1):63.e1-63.e16.
- Ackenbom MF, Zyczynski HM, et al. Postoperative delirium in older patients after undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Int Urogynecol J. 2023 Jan;34(1):201-209.
- Zyczynski HM, Richter HE, Sung VW, Lukacz ES, Arya LA, et al. NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation vs Sham Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence in Women: NeurOmodulaTion for Accidental Bowel Leakage Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Apr 1;117(4):654-667.
- Zyczynski HM, et al. for NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Performance, acceptability, and validation of a phone application bowel diary. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020 Nov;39(8):2480-2489.
- Nager CW, Visco AG, Richter HE, Rardin CR, Rogers RG, Harvie HS, Zyczynski HM, et al. NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Effect of Vaginal Mesh Hysteropexy vs Vaginal Hysterectomy with Uterosacral Ligament Suspension on Treatment Failure in Women with Uterovaginal Prolapse: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Sep 17;322(11):1054-1065.
- Amundsen CL, Richter HE, Menefee SA, Komesu YM, Arya LA, Gregory WT, Myers DL, Zyczynski HM, et al. OnabotulinumtoxinA vs Sacral Neuromodulation on Refractory Urgency Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2016 Oct 4;316(13):1366-1374.
- Zyczynski HM, et al. Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. Change in Overactive Bladder Symptoms After Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;126(2):423-430.
- Kenton K, Stoddard AM, Zyczynski H, et al. 5-year longitudinal follow-up after retropubic and transobturator mid urethral slings. J Urol. 2015 Jan;193(1):203-10.
- Zyczynski HM, et al. Findings of universal cystoscopy at incontinence surgery and their sequelae. Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 May;210(5):480.e1-8.
- Nygaard I, Brubaker L, Zyczynski HM, et al. Long-term outcomes following abdominal sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse. JAMA. 2013 May 15;309(19):2016-24.
- Zyczynski HM, et al. Sexual activity and function in women more than 2 years after midurethral sling placement. Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Nov;207(5):421.e1-6.
- Nager CW, Brubaker L, Litman HJ, Zyczynski HM, et al. Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. A randomized trial of urodynamic testing before stress-incontinence surgery. N Engl J Med. 2012 May 24;366(21):1987-97.
- Richter HE, Albo ME, Zyczynski HM, et al. Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. Retropubic versus transobturator midurethral slings for stress incontinence. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 3;362(22):2066-76.
For additional publications, click here.
Research Group
In the News
May 16, 2025
Breaking New Ground: Magee-Womens Erie Campus Marks Milestone in Community-Based Research
Aug 8, 2023
Magee-Womens Research Institute Partnership with Penn State Behrend: The Insider
Dec 22, 2022
UPMC Magee-Led Trial Provides Reassuring Results to Women with Prolapse
Nov 23, 2022
Major State Grant to Fund Magee-Womens UPMC Opioid Recovery Programs
Sep 18, 2020
Early vigilance leads to happy outcome for endometrial cancer survivor
Sep 10, 2020
Studies Underway at Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie
Feb 18, 2020
Erie Times-News profiles Dr. Halina Zyczynski, medical director of the new MWRI Erie
Oct 11, 2019
Dr. Halina Zyczynski's clinical trial for pelvic prolapse treatment featured by WTAE
Jun 4, 2019
Dr. Halina Zyczynski: Addressing Health Challenges for Women of Every Age
May 1, 2019
Dr. Halina Zyczynski: Pioneering Treatments for Pelvic Floor Disorders