Understanding Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, affecting millions of women worldwide. It can range from occasional leaks when you sneeze or cough to a sudden, intense urge to urinate that doesn’t allow you enough time to get to a bathroom. While it can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing problem, it’s important to know that you are not alone and there are effective treatments available.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
- Stress Incontinence: Leakage occurs during physical activities that put pressure on your bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
- Urge Incontinence: Also known as overactive bladder, this type is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage.
- Mixed Incontinence: This involves symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.
- Overflow Incontinence: This occurs when your bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to overflow and leakage.
- Functional Incontinence: Physical or mental impairments prevent you from reaching the toilet in time.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can result from a variety of factors, including:
- Pregnancy and Childbirth: The physical changes and the strain of childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles.
- Menopause: Decreased estrogen levels can affect the lining of the bladder and urethra.
- Hysterectomy: Any surgery involving a woman’s reproductive system can potentially damage the pelvic floor muscles.
- Aging: The bladder and urethral muscles lose some of their strength as you age.
- Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and neurological disorders can contribute to incontinence.
Diagnosis
Our approach to diagnosing urinary incontinence involves a thorough medical history review, physical examination, and possibly some tests to determine the type and cause of incontinence. Tests may include:
- Urinalysis: To check for signs of infection, blood, or other abnormalities.
- Bladder Diary: Recording your fluid intake, trips to the bathroom, and leakage episodes.
- Postvoid Residual Measurement: Measuring the amount of urine left in your bladder after urination.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: Imaging to check for abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Treatment Options
At our practice, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle:
- Behavioral Techniques: Including bladder training and scheduled toilet trips.
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises: Also known as Kegels, these exercises strengthen the muscles that control urination. We offer EmSella therapy – a convenient way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Learn more about EmSella here.
- Medications: To manage symptoms of urge incontinence and overactive bladder.
- Medical Devices: Pessaries, a device inserted into the vagina to support the bladder, can be helpful.
- Interventional Therapies: Injections and nerve stimulators that help reduce urge incontinence. We are committed to providing cutting-edge treatments to enhance your quality of life and address urinary concerns. We offer advanced therapies such as Bulkamid, InterStim, and Axonics to cater to difference needs and preferences, ensuring personalized and effective care.
- Surgery: For severe cases, procedures such as sling surgery or bladder neck suspension can provide relief.
Why Choose Us?
Our practice is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care to women experiencing urinary incontinence. We understand the impact this condition can have on your quality of life and are committed to helping you find relief through:
- Expertise: Our team of specialists has extensive experience in treating urinary incontinence.
- Comprehensive Care: From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, we offer a complete continuum of care.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: We use the latest diagnostic and treatment options to ensure the best possible outcomes.
- Patient-Centered Approach: We listen to your concerns and work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and goals.
Take the First Step Towards Relief
If you are struggling with urinary incontinence, don’t let embarrassment or discomfort hold you back from seeking help. Contact our office today at 508.655.4422 to schedule a consultation. Our caring and professional team is here to support you on your journey to improved bladder health and a better quality of life.
We look forward to helping you achieve a life free from the constraints of urinary incontinence.