Female Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Urinary incontinence is a condition where there is loss of control in managing the flow of urine from your body.
Approximately 17 million women in the U.S. encounter urinary incontinence in their lifetime. This condition can occur in women between the ages of 18 and 60 and beyond and is usually a result of the urethra not being closed tightly to keep urine in the bladder. Symptoms vary from:
- an inability to prevent leaking urine when exercising or other involuntary actions such as coughing or sneezing
- an overwhelming urge to urinate that often causes them to urinate before getting to a bathroom.
The 7 Types of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can be caused by a range of different issues. Because of this, incontinence can be categorized in one of the following seven ways:
Urge IncontinenceThe sudden and unexpected need to urinate more than 8 times per day can lead to leaks voiding. | Stress IncontinenceThe involuntary loss of urine due to increased pressure on the abdomen and bladder. | Overflow IncontinenceSmall amounts of urine involuntarily leaks because the patient is unable to sense when the bladder is full. | Mixed IncontinenceMixed incontinence is the most common form. Patients exhibit symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. |
Functional IncontinenceThere is no issue with the urinary system, but the patient is unable to make it to the bathroom in time due to mental or physical limitations. | Transient IncontinenceThis form of incontinence is temporary and caused by a short lived condition or treatment for a condition. | Total IncontinenceTotal incontinence is the complete loss of urinary control due to a severe physical injury or abnormality. |
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Behavior therapies. Behavior modification is used to train one’s bladder and sphincter muscles by decreasing fluid intake and by prompting or scheduling voiding.
Pelvic muscle exercises. Called Kegel exercises, these exercises commonly are intended to strengthen weak muscles surrounding the bladder.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is a procedure for women that is effective at resolving urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. This quick and painless procedure involves a few injections in the vaginal area.
Catheter. These tubes are inserted into the urethra to collect urine into an external drainage bag. These are generally left in place 24 hours a day.
Medications. There are a number of medications to treat incontinence caused by urge to continually void. Where incontinence is stress related, there are no medications for to treat this. For incontinence caused by a combination of both urge and stress, drug therapy may be helpful in treating the urge component.
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Midwest Urological Group at (309) 692-9898.
