Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence means you’ve lost control of your bladder. The degree of loss ranges from small leaks of urine when you cough to complete loss of the entire contents of your bladder.

There are many types of urinary incontinence. The two most common include stress and urge incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is an unintentional urinary leak from various “stress-related” activities such as laughing, coughing, or exercising. 

Vaginal birth, chronic coughing, strenuous activity, or weak tissues may cause stress urinary incontinence. 

Urge urinary incontinence (UUI)

With UUI, you feel a strong and sudden urge to urinate that may cause urine leakage before you make it to the bathroom. 

You may develop UUI from any number of causes, including dietary irritants, weak pelvic floor muscles, or pelvic floor dysfunction. In women, pregnancy, childbirth, and aging may affect the structure and function of the pelvic floor muscles and lead to UUI.

UUI affects people of all ages, including children. 

The practice also treats urinary retention, overflow incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), nocturia, and nocturnal enuresis (involuntary urination while you sleep). 

How is urinary incontinence treated?

The team at Pelvic Health Specialists offers medical and advanced treatment options to help you regain control over your bladder. They work closely with you developing a plan of care that best meets your needs. 

Treatment options for urinary incontinence include:

• Lifestyle modification
• Bladder training
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation
• Bladder Botox®
• InterStim™ neuromodulation therapy
• Posterior tibial nerve stimulation
• Midurethral sling
• Urethral bulking
• Pessaries

Many of these treatments and therapies are performed right in the office.

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence (FI) is the involuntary loss of stool that occurs with or without the feeling of bowel movement urgency. You may develop FI from a loss of sphincter control or problems with nerve signals. 

It’s not uncommon for women to have both urinary and fecal incontinence. The nerves that come from the sacral region control both bowel and bladder function. 

FI has a devastating effect on a person’s quality of life. But it’s a treatable condition and Pelvic Health Specialists can provide the help you need. 

How is fecal incontinence treated?

At Pelvic Health Specialists, the team offers many treatment options for those struggling with fecal incontinence. The treatments best suited for you may depend on the specific underlying cause. 

Treatment options include:

• Medications such as antidiarrheals or fiber-bulking agents
• Diet changes
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation
• InterStim neuromodulation
• Solesta®, which is an injectable tissue-bulking agent 

When needed, a board-certified urogynecologist performs sphincter surgery to treat fecal incontinence. 

You don’t have to let your incontinence dictate your life. Call Pelvic Health Specialists or book an appointment through the website scheduling tool to get help.