Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence describes uncontrolled leaks of urine. Incontinence is a condition that affects many women, especially as they get older and the muscles supporting their bladder weaken.

Incontinence is also a common side effect of pregnancy and childbirth. Pressure on the bladder from the baby and the stretching of muscles during delivery can lead to the loss of bladder control.

There are several types of urinary incontinence that describe the reason for urine leaks:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence causes urine leaks whenever there’s pressure on the bladder, such as during sudden movements like a cough or sneeze.

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is often the result of an overactive bladder that causes a sudden, intense need to urinate. The muscles of the bladder don’t function properly and make it difficult for you to make it to the bathroom in time.

Mixed incontinence

Mixed incontinence describes a combination of symptoms relating to stress and urge incontinence.

While it can be frustrating to lose control of your bladder, the unexpected urine leaks can be embarrassing and cause you to avoid social situations.

How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

During your evaluation, your Women’s Health Care Center of Houston provider takes time to review your personal and family medical history and your lifestyle to determine the root cause of your incontinence.

To rule out more serious health conditions that can lead to urine leaks, your provider may perform a pelvic exam and an ultrasound. These diagnostic tests can check for abnormalities that may interfere with bladder function.

Your Women’s Health Care Center of Houston provider may also measure your urine output and how much urine remains in your bladder. To ensure you don’t have an infection, they may request a urinalysis.

What treatments are available for urinary incontinence?

For mild urinary incontinence issues, you may benefit from wearing an absorbent pad and doing Kegel and other pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your bladder.

You may also benefit from medications that relax bladder muscles and address symptoms of overactive bladder.

Your Women’s Health Care Center of Houston provider also works with you on lifestyle changes that can reduce unexpected urine leaks. These may involve:

• Quitting smoking
• Urinating every two hours
• Limiting caffeine consumption

If you have more frequent or severe symptoms of urinary incontinence, you may need sling surgery. This procedure involves using synthetic materials to create a sling that better supports your bladder and reduces the frequency of urine leaks.

Learn more about your treatment options for urinary incontinence by calling the Women’s Health Care Center of Houston office nearest you or scheduling an appointment online today.