Urinary Incontinence

When unexpected urine leaks are limiting what you can do, you can find a solution for urinary incontinence at Reflections OB/GYN in the Viera area of Melbourne, Florida. Experienced OB/GYN, Mark Sargent, MD, MBA, FACOG, and nurse practitioners, Alison Badders APRN, and Laura Burgess, FNP-BC, understand how a loss of bladder control can impact your life. They offer a variety of treatments, including hormone replacement therapy and MonaLisa Touch® procedures, to rejuvenate vaginal health and improve your long-term bladder control. Schedule a consultation at Reflections OB/GYN online or by phone today.

Urinary Incontinence Q&A

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence describes a loss of bladder control that causes you to unexpectedly leak urine. In a healthy bladder, your muscles tighten to hold in urine and relax to release it.

When you have urinary incontinence, it may be due to muscles that weaken over time, with age or due to pregnancy or childbirth.

There are several types of urinary incontinence:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is a condition where urine leaks occur because of sudden pressure or stress on your bladder, often during a laugh, sneeze, or cough.

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is a condition where a sudden, intense urge to urinate makes it difficult to make it to the bathroom in time, resulting in leaks of urine.

Mixed incontinence

Mixed incontinence describes urinary incontinence that occurs due to both stress and urge incontinence issues.

While you may experience occasional urinary incontinence from drinking a lot of fluids or caffeinated beverages, you should schedule a diagnostic consultation at Reflections OB/GYN for frequent or recurrent urine leaks or when urinary incontinence affects your quality of life.

Is medical history useful in diagnosing urinary incontinence?

To get a better understanding of your symptoms and the type of incontinence you have, your Reflections OB/GYN provider reviews your medical history and discusses when and how often urine leaks occur.

To rule out underlying infections, you may need urine testing. An ultrasound may also be useful in identifying abnormalities in your bladder or urinary tract.

What’s the treatment for urinary incontinence?

Initially, your Reflections OB/GYN provider may recommend home exercises, such as Kegels, that focus on strengthening the muscles that support your bladder.

If you’re experiencing frequent urine leaks, you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy, which can improve the health of your vaginal tissues that support your bladder. Treatment with MonaLisa Touch can also address urinary incontinence by boosting your vaginal health — plumping tissues and increasing blood circulation to the area.

When urinary incontinence is severe or your bladder falls down into the vaginal canal, you may need surgery to place a sling, which holds the bladder in position and prevents urine leaks.

To discuss your options for urinary incontinence, schedule a consultation at Reflections OB/GYN by calling the office or by requesting an appointment online today.