International Urogynecology Day was on 20 January and International Incontinence Day was on 14 March. For the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), both dates are fundamental to raising awareness about the vital field of urogynecology and the tremendous impact that pelvic floor conditions have on women’s health and quality of life. With the contribution from the honored professionals Dr. Harold Drutz and Dr. Donald Ostergard, the Co-Editors-in-Chief thought that this would be a good moment to bring together a brief history of the IUGA and the International Urogynecology Journal (IUJ).

The IUGA was formed under the direction of Axel Ingelman-Sundberg of Sweden and Jack R. Robertson, MD, of Santa Barbara, CA, USA, in 1976 at the 8th Annual Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) General Assembly held in Mexico City. At that meeting nine other FIGO members were invited to participate in this event: Oscar Contreras Ortiz of Argentina, Wolfgang Fischer of East Germany, Abbo Hasson Abbo of Sudan, Bozo Kralj of Slovenia, Donald Ostergard of the USA, Eckhard Petri of West Germany, Stuart Stanton of the UK, Ulf Ulmsten of Sweden, and David Worrell of the UK. Professor Ingelman-Sundberg became the First President of this new society and Ulf Ulmsten became its Vice-President.

Most founding members were head of urogynecology units in their home countries. Notably, members represented many parts of the world including Western Europe, North and South America, as well as East Germany and Slovenia. The IUGA was truly international and it can be considered an achievement that scientifically active urogynecologists from the former East participated in founding and developing the IUGA. Wolfgang Fischer, for example, held a position at the East Berlin Charité as Director of “Gynecological Urology” in former East Germany from 1970 to 1999. The East German urogynecological society had conducted many meetings, also including Bozo Kralj, another founding member. Interestingly, all founding members and first Editors of the IUJ were males, representing a world that has since changed beneficially in this respect.

After the IUGA was founded, Professors Oscar Contreras Ortiz and Donald R. Ostergard, founded the IUJ, “The Blue Journal,” which was first self-published in 1988 by Professor Ortiz and then by Springer, where it has since remained. Oscar Ortiz was the first Editor-in-Chief and Donald Ostergard the first Managing Editor, a position he held for 17 years. The journal’s ownership was donated to the IUGA by Oscar Contreras Ortiz in 1999 with help from Donald Ostergard.

“Clinical and Urodynamic Re-Evaluation of Combined Abdomino Vaginal Marlex® Sling Operations for Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence” by H.P. Drutz, M.E. Buckspan, S. Flax, L. Mackie in August 1987 was one of the first articles published in the IUJ [1]. There have been significant improvements in urogynecological practice since this first IUJ article, namely advances in mesh materials and in surgical techniques with the inauguration of midurethral slings, as well as focus on patient-related outcome measures. The IUJ covered this progress and published many landmark papers. In dedication to the history of the IUGA and its journal, this editorial is accompanied by the re-publication of the content of the IUJ first issue (Fig. 1).

Cover of the first issue of the IUJ, table of contents and first article

It is by taking time to understand our past and the journey that has led us to the present that we become better equipped to plan for our future. This principle applies to our association and our journal. Therefore, it is our pleasure to salute and celebrate this journey! Recognizing the importance of understanding our past to shape a better future, the IUGA History Committee was recently created, with Prof. Mark Vierhout as the idealizer and the first chair. The establishment of a History Committee is aimed at capturing, preserving, and promoting the rich history of urogynecology and the contributions of IUGA.

The combined success of both the IUGA and the IUJ in working harmoniously has helped to make the IUGA a leading international society devoted to clinical and basic science research in the advancement of female pelvic medicine. Many national urogynecological societies have chosen to be affiliate members of the IUGA. The IUGA has become an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary society devoted to treating the "whole" pelvic floor in women and similarly, the IUJ emerged as a truly international and inclusive journal addressing pelvic floor dysfunction globally. The IUJ is dedicated to inclusivity and diversity in patient care and recognizes different needs and situations around the world. It is also home to contributions from diverse fields, including urology, gynecology, physiotherapy, nursing, and bioengineering. Both the IUGA and IUJ continue to address female pelvic floor disorders including urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, as well as urinary tract infections, pelvic pain, and the multidisciplinary nature of urogynecology involving, for example, urology, gynecology, physiotherapy, nursing, imaging, and bioengineering.

Maria Bortolini and Kaven Baessler, as current Co-Editors-in-Chief, welcome original research, reviews, and clinical opinions from authors around the globe to provide innovative, comprehensive, and best practice information. With new Fellows and Social Media Editors we also commit to involving and supporting junior and early-career health care professionals.

Although the content of the IUJ and its Editors remain independent of the IUGA, it is the official journal of the IUGA and promotes women’s health worldwide. It is our sincere hope that you all enjoy reading and learning from the IUJ.