Urinary incontinence
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Urinary incontinence |
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Incontinence is involuntary loss of urine. It is a common problem and can affect anyone at any age. Loss of urine during coughing, lifting, laughing, and sneezing is usually referred to as stress urinary incontinence. There are two types of stress incontinence:
Stress incontinency due to hypermobility may be treated with pelvic floor excercises, or Kegel excercises. If there is no improvement with Kegel exercises a pessary may be an alternative. A pessary is a silicone device that rests in the vagina and provides support to the urethra (the "tube" through which urine flows from the bladder during urination). This support assists in closure of the urethra during times of increased physical stress (i.e. coughing, lifting, laughing, and sneezing). If stress incontinence still occurs despite pelvic exercise and the use of a pessary, then surgery may be considered. Surgery may be performed through the vagina, through a small incision in the abdomen, or through the laparoscope. A second type of incontinence is urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is loss of urine with the sensation of having a full bladder and having to rush to the restroom to pass urine when the bladder isn't necessarily full. Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises) may improve urge incontinence. Another way is to "retrain" the bladder control habits. There are certain medications that may also improve this type of incontinence, but may be associated with side effects. Estrogen therapy has been shown to be beneficial in both types of incontinence. Electronic stimulation has also been shown to improve incontinence.
Gynecology & Laparoscopic Surgeons, PC Urinary incontinence:Gynecology & Laparoscopic Surgeons, GLSI, gynecologist, gynecology, gynecological, Urinary incontinence, Raleigh, North Carolina
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