Managing UIcan be frustrating because there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for every punch in of incontinence.
The diagnosis of SUI involves a review of your medical history and a physical exam.
UUI is more common in older females and the most common form of urinary incontinence in males.
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UUI is resulting from the hyperactivity of the muscle that contracts the bladder walls, called thedetrusor muscle.
Surgery is a less common option reserved for severe cases.
MUI affects roughly 30% of females and 50% of males with urinary incontinence.
MUI is harder to diagnose and treat because the underlying cause is multifactorial.
It is also more disruptive, with 1 in 3 affected women reporting signs ofchronic depression.
Additional tests and clinical expertise are required to render an accurate diagnosis.
The treatment plan varies based on the severity of symptoms.
Unlike other forms of incontinence, OUI is more common in males than in females.
Common causes of OUI include:
The diagnosis of OUI is similar to other types of incontinence.
This can help confirm the diagnosis of OUI.
The treatment of MUI involves bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, andcatheterizationto help empty the bladder.
It may be because a person has a physical disability or does not realize that they need to pee.
This is especially important for people who are bed-bound, are non-communicative, or have dementia or intellectual disability.
The treatment of functional incontinence varies by the cause.
The same causes can lead to both.
Call 1-800-BLADDER or visitwww.nafc.org.
Electrical Stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS)is a non-surgical treatment commonly used to treat incontinence.
It involves placing electrodes on the muscles that control urination.
The gentle electrical pulses are thought to strengthen the muscles.
Studies have shown that stimulating thetibial nerveat the outer ankle and foot may also help.
Despite showing promise in studies, TENS’s effectiveness varies significantly, and its benefits remain unclear.
Even so, TENS is considered safe and noninvasive and can be self-administered in the comfort of your home.
Medications and Injections
Many differentmedicationscan be used to treat urinary incontinence.
Currently, no medications are approved for the treatment of SUI in the United States.
Another treatment sometimes is a product called a urethral bulking agent.
The narrowing helps prevent urine from escaping.
Surgery
Surgery is generally the last resort for treating urinary incontinence.
There are different types of surgery for different conditions.
Some procedures may be combined.
Other procedures are transurethral, meaning the surgeon accesses the bladder through the urethra.
Others still areopen surgeriesinvolving a large incision.
Each has different causes, diagnosis methods, and treatments.
It is important to seek a diagnosis from a urologist or urogynecologist.
A treatment for one jot down of incontinence may not work for another.
John Hopkins Medicine.Urinary incontinence in women.
National Association for Continence.Stress urinary incontinence in women.
