When should I be concerned about urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can show up in different ways. Each is frustrating and life-altering. They include:
Stress incontinence
When you pee because of pressure exerted on your bladder, such as during exercise, laughing, or sneezing, it’s known as stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence
Urge incontinence involves the sudden urge to urinate that is intense and sometimes uncontrollable.
It’s possible to experience a combination of the two types of incontinence, as well.
If you have any of the following, it’s worth having your symptoms investigated:
- Frequent urination during the day
- Getting up two or more times per night to urinate
- Bedwetting
Talk to the doctors at Inspire Ob/Gyn, LLC if symptoms of urinary incontinence interfere with your day-to-day activity.
What causes urinary incontinence?
Temporary urinary incontinence may happen during a UTI or due to overconsumption of caffeine or alcohol. These cases are frustrating but resolve on their own or with medications or dietary modifications. If you experience incontinence often, it’s considered chronic and deserves medical evaluation.
Causes of chronic urinary incontinence include:
- Changes during menopause and the natural aging process
- Pregnancy and childbirth, which can weaken the muscles and nerves involved in bladder control
- Hysterectomy, which may affect the pelvic floor connective tissue
Treatment can help with urinary incontinence due to any of these issues.
What is the treatment for urinary incontinence?
You have many options when it comes to treating urinary incontinence. The doctors develop a treatment plan according to your health needs and the cause of your condition.
Conservative treatments include changes to your diet and physical therapy exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. You may also plan the timing of bathroom visits.
If these don’t help or you have severe symptoms of urinary incontinence, the doctors may recommend a pessary. This device is a firm, removable ring that’s inserted into your vagina to support your pelvic floor muscles and bladder.
A urethral insert may also help with stress incontinence. This disposable device is inserted, by you, before stressful activities, such as exercise, to help with leakage.
If you have urinary incontinence, consult the doctors at Inspire Ob/Gyn, LLC for relief. Call the office or schedule online today.
