Incontinence in Women

What is urinary incontinence?

Incontinence is the accidental release of urine. It can range from the slight leakage of urine to severe, frequent wetting. It can develop at any age, but it most commonly affects women over 50.

There are three types of urinary incontinence:

  • Urgency incontinence: Unable to hold bladder long enough to reach a toilet in time or unable to make it to a toilet in time due to injury or physical disability.
  • Stress incontinence: Urine loss from coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy objects.
  • Overflow incontinence: More urine is produced than the bladder can hold.

What is urinary incontinence?

Incontinence is the accidental release of urine. It can range from the slight leakage of urine to severe, frequent wetting. It can develop at any age, but it most commonly affects women over 50.

There are three types of urinary incontinence:

  • Urgency incontinence: Unable to hold bladder long enough to reach a toilet in time or unable to make it to a toilet in time due to injury or physical disability.
  • Stress incontinence: Urine loss from coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy objects.
  • Overflow incontinence: More urine is produced than the bladder can hold.

Causes of female urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be a temporary condition resulting from another condition (including overactive bladder, urinary tract infection or constipation), injury or as a side effect of certain medications.

Persistent, long-term incontinence is often attributed to medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s and childbirth complications.

Who is at risk for female urinary incontinence?

People at risk for developing incontinence include those who are:

  • Over 50 years old
  • Pregnant
  • Have just given birth

Diagnosis and testing

If you are experiencing any type of incontinence, you should speak with your provider. They’ll discuss details and refer you to a urogynecologist.

Next steps for patient

If you’d like to meet with a provider and find the best care options, it’s time to reach out to Main Line Health. Schedule a visit with a specialist today.
Call 1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654)
to see a specialist.

Treatments

Appropriate treatment options will vary depending on which type of urinary incontinence you’re experiencing.

Treatments may include:

  • Bladder training: This treatment is usually used to address stress and urgency incontinence. Training aims to help lengthen the amount of time between bathroom trips, increase bladder capacity and improve control over the urge to urinate.
  • Pelvic floor therapy: Muscle training, including Kegel exercises, strengthen a weakened urinary sphincter and pelvic floor to help control urination.
  • Diet modifications: Eliminating caffeine, alcohol and citrus can help reduce the urgent need to urinate.
  • Medication: A variety of drugs can relax pelvic muscles to address different aspects of urinary incontinence—including overactive bladder and the bladder’s capacity to hold urine.
  • Pessary: When a pelvic organ prolapse leads to female incontinence (usually stress incontinence), this vaginal insert supports the internal pelvic structure.
  • Botox: Botox injections into the bladder muscle can help mitigate overactive bladder and urge incontinence.
  • Surgery: Patients with severe cases of female urinary incontinence may be good candidates for treatments like sling procedure, bladder suspension surgery and artificial urinry sphincter implantation.

Bladder Retraining

If you suffer from bladder problems, including incontinence or leakage, bladder retraining at Main Line Health can help you regain control.

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

With three locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, we’re sure to offer pelvic floor rehabilitation near you. Our pelvic floor PTs treat pelvic floor conditions in men and women and we’re able to offer comprehensive treatments for these sometimes complex conditions.

Botox® for Urinary Incontinence

Botox treats overactive bladder symptoms by paralyzing the bladder muscle and disrupting signals to the brain that indicate the bladder is full when it’s really not.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery can be used to treat a broad spectrum of gynecological disorders with advanced precision.

Medications

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