Incontinence
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Stress Incontinence
Poor bladder neck support, also called a fallen bladder, or a weak bladder neck causes this condition. Women who have stress incontinence may leak urine when exercising, coughing, laughing or simply walking.
Urge Incontinence
When a bladder is overactive, it may contract unexpectedly leading to urge incontinence and frequent urination during the day and night. It is also associated with strong urges to urinate and difficulty getting to the bathroom in time.
Mixed Incontinence
Symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence may occur simultaneously.
Overflow Incontinence
This condition causes a weak urine stream and feelings of incomplete bladder emptying. It usually occurs in women with diabetes, neurologic disease or severe pelvic organ prolapse.
Diagnosis
We offer a variety of tests to evaluate the bladder. Test options include urodynamics, cystoscopy and bladder ultrasounds.
Urodynamics evaluates bladder function by measuring the pressure and volume inside the bladder with a small catheter.
Cystoscopy detects any bladder abnormalities using a lighted telescope to evaluate the bladder interior.
Bladder ultrasounds determine the volume of urine remaining in the bladder after urinating.
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence
Treatment options depend on a patient’s diagnosis and needs. Dr. Portera will thoroughly discuss all treatment options, including risks, benefits and success rates, to determine the best therapy for you.
Behavioral
Many women can gain bladder control with simple instructions on fluid intake and scheduled emptying of their bladder.
Muscle Tone
Physical Therapy
It has become one of the most popular treatments for urinary incontinence. Effective for both stress and urge incontinence, biofeedback treatments provide immediate information to assist in isolating proper pelvic muscles for exercise.
Kegel Exercises
help strengthen the pelvic muscles and. bladder neck.
Vaginal Cones
Plastic cones of increasing weight are held in the vagina twice a day to help strengthen pelvic muscles.
Botox Injection
Patients with severe overactive bladder unresponsive to medications or physical therapy are candidates for Botox — which is injected into the base of the bladder.
Bulking Agents
Some patients are candidates for coaptite injections. These agents are injected around the urethra to prevent urine leakage and can be done in the office setting.
Medication
Medicines are used to treat infections, replace hormones and relax overactive bladder contractions which can cause urge incontinence and overactive bladder.
Surgical Options
Sling Procedures and Bladder Neck Suspensions are the most commonly performed procedures for stress urinary incontinence. These procedures stabilize the bladder neck and return it to its normal anatomical position. In most cases this can be done vaginally as an outpatient procedure. This will facilitate a decrease in traditional recovery time.
Contact us
Use form for email or
Call 901-227-9610
FAX: 901-227-9615
Center for Urinary and Pelvic Disorders
6215 Humphreys Blvd.
Suite 110
Memphis, TN 38120