Incontinence

What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence occurs when you lose bladder control and leak urine, whether that means a few dribbles or complete bladder emptying. Incontinence typically develops when the muscles that control urination weaken or when the nerves that control your bladder are damaged and don’t signal properly.

Incontinence may also develop due to a urinary tract infection, a blockage like bladder stones, or when medications, caffeine, or alcohol lead to increased urine production.

What are the different types of incontinence?

These are the main types of urinary incontinence:

Stress urinary incontinence

This type of incontinence occurs when pressure is placed on your abdomen. You may leak urine when you laugh, sneeze, cough, lift a heavy object, or engage in physical exercise. Stress incontinence usually develops due to weak pelvic floor muscles.

Urge incontinence or overactive bladder

Urge incontinence occurs when you have a sudden, severe need to urinate. This type of incontinence often occurs when bladder contractions are not properly regulated by your nerves.

Mixed incontinence

You have mixed incontinence when you have stress and urge incontinence at the same time.

What symptoms may I have along with urinary incontinence?

Beyond the obvious symptom of unwanted and uncontrollable urine leakage, you may:

• Urinate more often than normal
• Urinating during the night
• Have pain during urination
• Leak urine while you sleep

Even if you have stress incontinence, you may also feel a strong need or urge to urinate.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi has extensive experience using several possible treatments for urinary incontinence. The first step, however, is a thorough exam and testing to determine if you have any underlying health conditions, as well as the type and severity of your incontinence.

Incontinence treatment includes options such as:

• Lifestyle changes
• Bladder training
• Medications
• Medical devices that block urine flow
• Pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Electrical stimulation to strengthen muscles
• Urethral bulking injections
• Botox® injections
• Nerve stimulation
• Minimally invasive surgery

Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi performs several types of minimally invasive surgeries to treat incontinence. For example, she may create a pelvic sling to support the urethra, perform a bladder neck suspension, or implant a device that electrically stimulates and regulates the nerve.

Don’t put up with urinary incontinence when help is available from Noreen Kamal-Mostafavi, MD. Call the office to speak with a friendly team member or use the online booking form to schedule an appointment today.