Urinary Incontinence Specialist

What is urinary incontinence?

If you can’t hold in your urine, whether it’s a small dribble or your entire bladder, you have some form of urinary incontinence. There are two primary types of incontinence that affect women:

Stress urinary incontinence

If you leak urine when you exercise or sneeze, you may have stress urinary incontinence.

Urge urinary incontinence

Also referred to as overactive bladder (OAB), urge urinary incontinence causes you to feel an intense need to urinate, which may sometimes cause you to lose control of your bladder before you reach a bathroom.

Some women have both stress and urge urinary incontinence, which is referred to as mixed incontinence.

There are a number of reasons you may be experiencing urinary incontinence, including a urinary tract infection or a neurological issue that’s affecting how your bladder muscles communicate with your brain.

Will I need any special tests?

To evaluate your urinary system and determine the cause of your urinary incontinence, your OB/GYN at Advanced Gynecology & Surgery may recommend urodynamics. This special test, which is done at the office, assesses how well your bladder, urethra, and sphincters work at holding and releasing urine. The test may also identify blockages or leaks.

What treatments are available for urinary incontinence?

Treatment for your urinary incontinence may depend on the type you have and the cause. If there’s an underlying health condition that’s causing you to lose control of your bladder, then addressing that may take priority.

Treatment for urinary incontinence usually begins with conservative methods, which may include:

• Bladder training
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation
• A change in your bathroom habits
• Limiting beverages before bed
• Medications to minimize bladder spasms
• Kegel exercises

If conservative methods fail to help you gain control, more invasive methods may be recommended. For example, a pessary, which is a device that supports your vaginal walls, may be recommended to provide additional support to your bladder and urethra, which may help prevent leakage.

Surgical options include a sling, which provides support to the urethra, or a colposuspension, which uses specially placed stitches to lift the urethra and hold it in place.

What is pelvic floor rehabilitation?

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a series of exercises and treatments that help you regain control over your pelvic muscles. Your OB/GYN at Advanced Gynecology & Surgery may recommend pelvic floor rehabilitation before suggesting surgery.

For expert care of your urinary incontinence, call Advanced Gynecology & Surgery or schedule an appointment online.