Urinary incontinence is not a disease nor is it a natural part of aging. The loss of bladder control, also known as urinary incontinence, affects approximately one-quarter of women, with 11% requiring surgery.
Many women silently endure urinary incontinence, believing there is no solution. However, it is a common condition with several treatment options.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence?
Normal bladder function requires coordinated communication between the brain, spinal cord, and bladder.
Urinary incontinence can be caused by factors such as medications, urinary tract infections, or weakened pelvic floor muscles, often due to childbirth or menopause. In other cases, the problem lies in the inability to keep the bladder outlet closed.
Why Are There Different Types of Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can be classified based on symptoms and the circumstances under which leakage occurs.
- Stress incontinence: Leakage occurs with physical exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- Urge incontinence: A sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage.
- Overflow incontinence: Incomplete bladder emptying leading to constant dribbling.
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of two or more types.
How is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?
To determine the best treatment, a thorough evaluation is necessary. This may include:
- Urinalysis: To check for infection or other abnormalities.
- Post-void residual: To measure the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination.
- Cystoscopy: To examine the inside of the bladder.
- Stress test: To assess the impact of physical stress on leakage.
- Urodynamic testing: To evaluate bladder function.
Is Urinary Incontinence Treatable?
Yes, urinary incontinence is often treatable. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, and fluid management.
- Medications: To relax the bladder or improve muscle tone.
- Interventional therapies: Botox injections or nerve stimulation.
- Surgery: Procedures such as sling surgeries or sacral nerve stimulation.
Common Surgical Procedures
- Sling procedures: These support the urethra to prevent leakage. Examples include:
- Transvaginal tape (TVT): A minimally invasive procedure.
- Transobturator tape (TOT): Similar to TVT but with a different approach.
- Sacral nerve stimulation: A device is implanted to stimulate nerves and improve bladder function.
If Treatment Fails If symptoms persist after treatment, further evaluation may be necessary, including cystoscopy and urodynamic testing.
Urinary incontinence is a common condition with effective treatment options. Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you are experiencing symptoms.
For Treatment in Istanbul
For the diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence, reflex incontinence, and temporary urinary incontinence, you can contact Prof. Dr. Ateş Karateke in Istanbul.