Urinary incontinence, also known as urinary leakage, is an embarrassing problem that affects millions of women. Although it is more common in older women, it can affect younger women as well. Urinary frequency, the need to run to the bathroom frequently, is another bothersome problem that can affect women. There is no need to live with urine leakage or frequency because effective treatments are available.
The Lower Urinary Tract
The lower urinary tract has two main functions, storing, and emptying urine. The bladder is a muscle-lined organ, which collects urine until you are ready to release it. The urethra is a canal, which carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and urethra to keep them in the proper position. To store urine, the bladder muscle stays relaxed as the urethral sphincter contracts. To empty urine, the urethral sphincter and pelvic floor muscles relax while the bladder contracts.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
The two most common types of urine leakage in women are urge and stress incontinence. People with both stress and urge incontinence are said to have mixed incontinence.
Urge Incontinence
In people with urge incontinence, there is a sudden, overwhelming need to urinate. You may leak urine on the way to the toilet. Common triggers of urge incontinence include unlocking the door when returning home, going out in the cold, turning on the faucet, or washing your hands.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles and tissues around the urethra (where urine exits) do not close properly when there is increased pressure ("stress") in the abdomen, leading to urine leakage. As an example, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or running can cause stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is a common reason for incontinence in women, especially those who have had children.
Overactive Bladder
People with overactive bladder have a sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate, but may or may not leak urine before getting to the toilet.
Incontinence Diagnosis
Although leaking urine is an embarrassing problem, talking about it with your healthcare provider is the first step in getting help. Next you obtain a full history from the patient, get a urinalysis, provide a bladder diary, and get a Urodynamic study.
What is Urodynamic Testing
A test that measures how much urine your bladder can hold, what makes you leak urine, and determines if there are problems emptying the bladder. This test can be done in our office, and provides valuable data on bladder function for our clinic to make the best recommendations for treatment. This study does not require sedating medication. When you arrive to our office for the test, you will be asked to undress from the waist down and a drape will be provided. The study usually takes between 30-40 minutes.
Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Includes fluid management, avoid bladder irritants, bladder training, prevent constipation, medications such as Vesicare, Detrol, Ditropan, botox, electric stimulation, pelvic muscle exercises (kegels), vaginal pessaries, surgical options, and pads, catheters, and portable toilets.