Incontinence

What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can vary from occasional bladder leakage when you laugh or sneeze to being unable to control your bladder and having an accident. In any case, you can develop urinary incontinence due to:

• Urinary tract infections
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Hysterectomy procedure
• Age-related muscle weakness
• Certain beverages or foods, including caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and chili peppers

Urinary incontinence can stem from an obstruction, too. If you have urinary stones, for instance, you may struggle with bladder leakage.

When should I see a doctor for urinary incontinence?

You shouldn’t be experiencing bladder leakage, even if it seems minor or infrequent. The team at All About Women OB/GYN encourage you to come in for an evaluation if you:

• Leak urine while sneezing, coughing, or laughing (stress incontinence)
• Get a sudden urge to “go,” then involuntarily void your bladder (urge incontinence)
• Experience ongoing issues with dribbling while urinating (overflow incontinence)

It’s also important to get help for urinary incontinence if you have a physical disability, like arthritis, that makes it difficult for you to get to the bathroom in time to empty your bladder. This is known as functional incontinence. 

With the help of the caring practitioners at All About Women OB/GYN, you won’t have to worry about urinary incontinence taking over your life another day. 

How is urinary incontinence treated?

The physicians at All About Women OB/GYN can perform comprehensive urodynamic testing to evaluate the functionality of your bladder and urethra if needed, so they can determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the outcome of any recommended diagnostic testing, your urinary incontinence treatment plan can include:

• Medications to increase the amount of urine your bladder holds
• Medications to calm an overactive bladder
• Pessary fitting to hold up your bladder
• Bladder training or double voiding 
• Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) 
• Scheduled bathroom trips 
• Electrical stimulation 
• Topical estrogen 
• Urethral insert 

In severe cases, you may need surgery for urinary incontinence. A cystocele repair procedure involves repairing the fibrous wall between your bladder and urethra that may have damage from childbirth. 

The rectocele repair is similar, but it involves repairing the wall between your rectum and vagina. Because you have so many options for treatment at All About Women OB/GYN, you can expect effective relief from your case of urinary incontinence. 

Get treatment for urinary incontinence by booking an exam at All About Women OB/GYN right away. Schedule your visit online or call the clinic to speak with a team member.