What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence occurs when you lose bladder control and involuntarily leak urine, whether you release a small amount or empty your bladder. In most cases, urinary incontinence develops due to weak pelvic floor muscles or when the nerves that control the bladder fail to function normally.

You can also develop transient urinary incontinence from a urinary tract infection or when caffeine, alcohol, or medications result in increased urine production.

What are the different types of urinary incontinence?

Men and women can experience four primary types of urinary incontinence:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when your stomach muscles place pressure on the bladder. Activities such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting, and jogging can exert enough pressure to force sudden urine leakage.

Women frequently develop stress incontinence because of pregnancy, childbirth, and hormone changes at menopause weaken their pelvic floor muscles. However, men may develop stress incontinence following prostate surgery.

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence, also called overactive bladder, leads to urine leakage when you have a sudden urge to urinate that’s so strong it’s hard to reach the bathroom before you have an accident.

Functional incontinence

This incontinence occurs when physical disability, cognitive decline, communication problems, or external obstacles prevent you from reaching the bathroom before accidental leakage.

Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence typically causes constant dribbling along with frequent urination.

How do urology experts diagnose urinary incontinence?

The experts at AS Urology offer advanced diagnostic capabilities to accurately determine the cause and severity of your incontinence, including:

• Urodynamic studies
• High-resolution ultrasonography
• Video cystoscopy

Urodynamic studies include at least seven different tests that provide information about issues such as your bladder pressure, urine flow rate, the amount of urine left in your bladder, and if you can easily start and stop urinating. The specific tests you may need depend on your symptoms.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

The highly experienced doctors and staff at AS Urology create a personalized treatment plan that may incorporate one of many possible treatments, including:

• Bladder training
• Medications
• Biofeedback
• Pelvic floor therapy
• Medical devices that block urine flow
• Peripheral tibial nerve stimulation
• Urethral bulking injections
• ThermiVa®
• Interstim®

Your provider may recommend a minimally invasive mini-sling procedure or surgical options such as urethral slings and artificial urinary sphincters.

No one should ever put up with urinary incontinence. Don’t wait to get the help you need. Call AS Urology or schedule an appointment online today.