Urinary Incontinence Specialist

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition that causes unexpected, uncontrolled leaks of urine. Although incontinence can be triggered by pressure on your bladder, such as that exerted by sneezing or pregnancy, it can also develop because of higher urine production.

Though you can use pads to protect against urine leaks, the condition can worsen over time and become inconvenient and embarrassing. Dr. Perez offers comprehensive, in-office evaluations to identify the cause of urinary incontinence and rule out more serious health issues.

What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Different types of urinary incontinence cause a variety of symptoms. The most common types of urinary incontinence include:

Stress incontinence

Many people experience stress incontinence because of age-related weakening in the bladder muscles. Pressure on the bladder from sneezing, laughing, or heavy lifting can trigger urine to leak out. Women also are prone to stress incontinence during pregnancy and following childbirth. Learn how Bulkamid® can help with stress urinary incontinence. 

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is also a common condition that causes you to have a sudden need to urinate and often find it difficult to make it to the bathroom in time. This condition can be caused by an infection or an underlying neurological issue. 

Overactive bladder

An overactive bladder can also cause urinary incontinence. This condition causes your bladder to push out urine at the wrong time and can be the result of nerve damage, drinking too much fluid, or consuming too much caffeine. Learn how Axonics® Therapy can help with overactive bladder.

How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

To determine the cause and type of urinary incontinence you’re experiencing, Dr. Perez reviews your medical history and your general lifestyle. He may request urine testing to identify existing infections or other underlying health issues that are affecting your bladder function.

During your exam, you may need to urinate into a special container that measures your urine output. Dr. Perez then uses ultrasound technology to evaluate how much urine is left in the bladder to identify issues like an obstruction or a structural problem in your urinary tract.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Depending on the frequency and severity of your urinary incontinence, Dr. Perez creates a treatment plan that focuses on reducing urine leaks.

Initially, you may benefit from doing pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy to tighten the muscles that support your bladder. Dr. Perez may also recommend bladder training that involves going to the bathroom at specific times of the day.

You may also need prescription medications like anticholinergics to calm an overactive bladder or alpha-blockers, which relax bladder neck muscles and treat male urge incontinence. Women may benefit from a low-dose, topical estrogen that rejuvenates vaginal tissue to better support the bladder.

In severe cases of urinary incontinence, Dr. Perez may suggest a surgical procedure to reinforce support for the bladder with a pelvic sling. Women who are experiencing prolapse, a condition where the bladder falls into the vaginal canal, may need surgery to reposition the bladder and suture it into place.

Learn more about your options for treating urinary incontinence by calling The Urology Group or by requesting an appointment online now.