What is Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine.

There are several types of incontinence:

• Stress incontinence – the loss of urine during coughing, laughing, or other physical activities that increase abdominal pressure.
• Urge incontinence – the loss of urine with a sudden and severe desire to void the urinary tract.
• Overflow incontinence – the bladder becomes so full that it simply overflows against the wish of the afflicted person.

You Are Not Alone

Over 12 million Americans are estimated to have some degree of urinary incontinence. Incontinence affects all ages, including 15 – 30 percent of people over the age of 60.

Women are affected twice as often as men.

You do not have to suffer the embarrassment of this condition – it can typically be managed or treated, allowing you to have your life back.

How Is Incontinence Evaluated and Treated?

Evaluation will include taking a detailed history and a physical exam, urinalysis, a post-void residual (PVR) analysis (which measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination).

Occasionally a voiding diary, cystoscopy, intravenous pyelogram, and urodynamic testing may be required to fully ascertain the extent of the incontinence.

Treatment options include behavioral techniques, medications and surgery. Options and applications of each can be discussed at the time of the evaluation.

If You Have These Symptoms

If you are experiencing incontinence, contact us to talk to our experienced urologists, who can help answer your questions.