What is Urinary Incontinence?
- Involuntary leakage of urine defined as stress, urge, overflow or mixed
- Stress incontinence (SUI) is involuntary leakage of urine that occurs with increases in intra-abdominal pressure (e.g. with exertion, sneezing, coughing, laughing) in the absence of a bladder contraction
- Women with urgency incontinence experience the urge to void immediately preceding or accompanied by involuntary leakage of urine. The amount of leakage ranges from a few drops to completely soaked undergarments.
- Overflow incontinence typically presents with continuous urinary leakage or dribbling in the setting of incomplete bladder emptying. Associated symptoms can include weak or intermittent urinary stream, hesitancy, frequency, and nocturia.
Stats in the U.S.
- 25-65% in community setting, up to 50% of nursing home patients
- Projected to affect 17% of adult females in U.S. by 2050
- Estimated annual cost of $12.4 Billion in U.S.
Less than 50% of women with bladder control problems report it to their doctors. Why is it under-reported?
- Embarrassment
- Availability of absorbent products
- Lack of information regarding management options and success rates
- Low expectations of benefit from reporting
What are the Consequences of Urinary Incontinence?
- Loss of self-confidence/ self-esteem
- Sexual difficulties
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- Reduction in social activities
- Psychological and functional decline
- Overall decrease in quality of life
How is it diagnosed?
- Thorough history and physical (voiding diaries, incontinence questionnaires, medications, impact on quality of life)
- Physical exam (bladder stress test, postvoid residual, Q-tip test, urinalysis)
- May need more complex urodynamic testing
Treatment options
- Key is to assess type and severity of incontinence
- Pads and protective garments
- Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, decrease caffeine, smoking cessation)
- Pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercises
- Biofeedback, vaginal weighted cones, bladder training
- Topical vaginal estrogen
- Surgery
- Transurethral radio-frequency collagen denaturation has been proposed as a minimally invasive device-based intervention to treat urinary incontinence. This is how VOTIVA works – come schedule an appointment/consultation today!
