Stress Urinary Incontinence
What is it? Have you ever had to cross your legs when you were about to sneeze or cough because you knew you would leak urine? Any increase in abdominal pressure that causes leakage of urine is called stress incontinence. It can worsen with time and can start making a women change her normal activities to avoid leaking.
How is it diagnosed? The diagnosis is made by the patient complaining of the process. But, there may be more than one cause so a history and examination is necessary to isolate the cause and possibly determine the treatment. If more symptoms are discovered, some further testing of the bladder may be necessary.
How is Stress Urinary Incontinence treated? All women can benefit from doing regular kegel exercises, but often needs education on how to do them properly. Some women benefit from a small support device placed in the vagina per the patient’s discretion. Finally, stress incontinence is often a surgical correction and with latest technology, the procedure is an outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort.
Please schedule an appointment if you are experiencing stress incontinence that is affecting the way you live your life – we would like to help.
Urge Urinary Incontinence
What is it? The commercial “Gotta go right now” is the quickest way to describe Urge Urinary Incontinence. It is when the bladder contracts and empties when it is not suppose to causing leakage – usually the entire bladder and often happens en route to the nearest restroom. When a woman has to get up several times during the night, this is called “nocturia” and is a symptom of urge incontinence as well.
How is it diagnosed? Women usually walk into the office having already self diagnosed by describing her reason for scheduling the appointment. However, a history and exam is necessary to help determine possible causes. Some testing of the bladder may be necessary also and can be done in the office. This test is called urodynamics and it is the best tool we have to measure bladder function.
How is it treated? Urge incontinence is usually treated by retraining behavior, avoiding irritants to the bladder, medication or a combination of some or all of these. There are physical therapists that specialized in the pelvic floor and they can be a big part of the treatment plan. Some cases require surgery, but that is not the majority of women.
Please schedule an appointment if you are experiencing urge incontinence – we would like to help.
