Urinary incontinence affects as many as six in 10 women, but it’s rarely discussed openly. At Modern OBGYN Care, empathetic OB/GYNs, Dr. Miguel Torres and Dr. Marcela Torres, are changing the conversation around urinary incontinence. Our team shares new hope in the form of innovative treatments that are helping women take control.
Today’s blog covers what you should know about urinary incontinence and how we can help.
Whether it's a sudden urge to go, leaking a few drops when you laugh or sneeze, or feeling like you spend all your time in the bathroom, urinary incontinence can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and embarrassing.
It’s also an understandable condition if you take a look at how it happens. Although there are several types of incontinence, the most common are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
Stress incontinence happens when physical movements like coughing, sneezing, or strenuous exercising (for example, ab crunches) put unusual pressure on the bladder, causing leaks.
Urge incontinence involves frequent, sudden urges that are difficult to control. Many women experience mixed incontinence, which involves both stress and urge incontinence. Less commonly, some women experience overflow incontinence, in which leaks occur because the bladder never empties.
The underlying factors involved in urinary incontinence can vary widely. Urinary tract infections, constipation, and even certain foods and drinks may cause temporary urinary incontinence,
But when it comes to chronic UI, one of the most common culprits is a decrease in estrogen during menopause. Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, coupled with the added pressure the baby can place on the bladder, are another common cause.
The good news is that effective treatments are available. Here are the most common options for managing urinary incontinence.
For women with mild symptoms, small changes can make a big difference. These may include:
For milder symptoms, these simple changes could be enough to help you improve bladder support and reduce leaks.
Medication may be a good option for chronic urge incontinence. Certain drugs can relax the bladder muscles, reduce sudden urges, or increase bladder capacity. Some medications affect nerve signaling to the bladder, helping calm the overactive contractions that cause urgency and leaks.
Though medications can be effective for certain women, those medications may also have side effects, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor at Modern OBGYN Care.
Pelvic floor physical therapy may help with both stress and urge incontinence symptoms. Specialized physical therapists teach techniques that strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder and urethra.
This may include guided Kegel exercises, biofeedback to help you learn how to correctly contract muscles, and electrical stimulation. With consistency, many women see significant improvements in bladder control.
One of the most advanced and exciting treatment options available today is Votiva – and we offer it here in our Modern OBGYN Care office. This gentle, noninvasive therapy uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate natural collagen and elastin production in and around the vaginal tissues.
Over time, these tissues become stronger, tighter, and better able to support the bladder and urethra. That then translates to better bladder control.
Votiva is sometimes referred to as vaginal revitalization because of its ability to restore both function and comfort. Women often notice reduced urinary leaks as well as improved vaginal health, including increased elasticity and hydration.
Treatment sessions are quick and comfortable, with no downtime. Our patients have enjoyed noticeable results that build over a series of treatments.
For women with more severe incontinence, surgery may be the best option. The most common procedures involve placing a supportive sling beneath the urethra to prevent leaks caused by stress incontinence.
There are also surgeries that reposition or support the bladder and urethra to restore normal function. Surgical options are a last resort, mainly for cases where conservative treatments and therapies have not provided enough relief.
In most cases, our gentle, caring OB/GYNs can work with each woman to find a customized nonsurgical pathway to urinary incontinence relief.
Your life doesn’t have to revolve around your bladder anymore. At Modern OBGYN Care, we’re here to guide you back to better bladder control and a better quality of life, too. Call us at 754-217-4181 to book your appointment now.
