Urinary Incontinence

We provide individualized care for urinary incontinence for both men and women.

About Urinary Incontinence:

Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine. Urinary incontinence affects millions of men and women of all ages. In fact, it is estimated that up to one-quarter to one-third of men and women suffer from some type of urinary incontinence.

There are various types of urinary incontinence. However, some of the most common types include urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and overflow incontinence:

  • Urge incontinence is a result of an overactive bladder. Patients often have a sudden, strong urge to urinate and consequently cannot make it to the bathroom in time. Patients with urge incontinence often urinate frequently, urgently, and symptoms may persist into the night.
  • Stress incontinence is characterized by increased intraabdominal pressure causing urine to leak out. Patients often have urinary incontinence associated with laughing, sneezing, coughing, etc. Pregnancy is also a potential cause because the fetus puts additional pressure on the bladder.
  • Overflow incontinence has to do with problems emptying the bladder for various reasons. One reason may be obstruction of the urethra by the prostate in men with BPH. Another issue may be an ineffective detrusor muscle (muscle that contracts the bladder). Neurogenic causes include, but are not limited to, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cancers, strokes, spinal cord conditions, and kidney disease.

Some of the most general common risks include obesity, smoking, female gender, advanced age, certain medications, procedures and constipation.

Urinary Incontinence Symptoms:

Symptoms of urinary incontinence may be subtle or significant. Many people suffer from some sort or urinary incontinence but don’t present to their doctor out of fear of embarrassment. Urinary incontinence can significantly impact your daily life in a negative way and we are happy to help.

How We Diagnose Urinary Incontinence:

History/Physical/Bladder Diary

  • A detailed history and physical exam is often obtained first to get an idea of what type of incontinence you are having and how significantly it is impacting your life. Sometimes to assist us with this, a bladder diary is utilized. A bladder diary is a record you keep about how much you drink, when you urinate, how much urine is produced, and how many episodes of incontinence you experience over a set amount of time.

Urinalysis

  • A urine analysis is often obtained to examine the urine for infection or other possible causes of urinary incontinence.

Blood Work

  • Blood work may be performed for several reasons. It may be used to check kidney function or PSA in men to possibly identify the reason for urinary incontinence.

Post-Void Residual Measurement

  • This measures how much urine remains in the bladder after urination. An ultrasound probe is placed on your lower abdomen and estimates how much urine remains in your bladder.

Urodynamics

  • Urodynamics is a test that measures the mechanical and neurological components of the bladder. Using sensors and a sophisticated computer software program, our team assess how well your bladder is functioning and emptying. This test can be performed right in our clinic.

Imaging

  • Depending on the situation, our team may order advance imaging to exclude some other potential causes for urinary incontinence. These may include cystoscopy and a CT scan.

Back to services >>

Treatment Options:

  • Bladder Training
  • Pelvic Floor Exercises
  • Medications
  • Surgery
  • Catheterization
  • Botox
Schedule an Appointment
Learn more about Urinary Incontinence

A quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence.

Procedures

Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy

The physician assistants at Urology Associates provide pelvic floor muscle therapy for issues of the pelvic floor in men and women.

LEARN MORE

Peripheral Nerve Evaluation for Interstim

A peripheral nerve evaluation is an exam that evaluates the condition causing your overactive bladder or urinary incontinence.

LEARN MORE

Meet Our Doctors

Our physicians are experienced in treating the complete range of urologic conditions and diseases, from kidney stones and sexual dysfunction to prostate cancer, incontinence and infertility.

VIEW PROFILES