Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing problem that’s common in women. The sensitive doctors at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, PA in Beaumont, Texas can help identify the cause of your involuntary leakage and provide treatment solutions.
Incontinence Q & A
Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control. It’s a common problem that varies in severity from small amounts of urine leaking when you sneeze, to urgent needs to urinate with the inability to make it to the bathroom in time.
There are different types of urinary incontinence, but women often experience:
- Stress incontinence: abdominal pressure caused by things like sneezing, coughing, and jogging can cause urine leaks
- Urge incontinence: difficulty reaching the bathroom in time; leaks occur at first urge to urinate
- Overactive bladder: frequent need to void, sometimes with urge incontinence
You can experience more than one type of incontinence at the same time.
Urinary incontinence is often a symptom of another physical problem or medical condition. It is common for women because pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can exacerbate such conditions.
Additional causes of urinary incontinence include:
- Aging
- Hysterectomy
- Family history
- Obstructions, such as tumors or kidney stones
- Neurological disorders
Temporary conditions can also cause urinary incontinence. Leakage can be the result of specific medications, constipation, or urinary tract infections. Additionally, certain beverages, artificial sweeteners, and some foods can cause bladder irritation that may lead to involuntary leakage.
Your doctors at Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, PA can perform in-office procedures, including potassium stress tests and urodynamics testing to check bladder function and urine retention. These tests help identify the cause of your urinary leakage and determine the best course of treatment.
Your doctor works with you to identify the cause of your urinary incontinence, and then recommends a treatment plan. That might include pelvic floor therapy, medication, a bladder training program, or lifestyle changes. If other treatments are unsuccessful, another option is surgery.
Healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of developing urinary incontinence. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Doing pelvic floor exercises
- Eating a diet rich in fiber
- Avoiding bladder irritants, such as alcohol and caffeine
- Quitting smoking
Call or schedule an appointment online with Southeast Texas OB/GYN Associates, PA to find solutions for your urinary incontinence.