An Overview of Urinary Tract Issues in Women
Urinary incontinence occurs when urine is released from the bladder unintentionally. It can happen during a cough, sneeze or even during physically strenuous activities. This common condition usually does not mean that you have a health problem, but it can cause embarrassment. Urinary tract issues and bladder control are twice as likely to occur in women, especially moms and older women. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract all account for this difference between men and women. If a woman in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area is suffering from this embarrassing condition, they are encouraged to contact Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, board certified OBGYN, to learn more about urinary incontinence treatment options.
Urinary incontinence is usually divided into three different types, the first type is urinary incontinence caused by stress and the second form is called urge incontinence.
Urinary Incontinence Types
- Stress urinary incontinence – Happens when performing activities that put “stress” on the bladder, this can be from laughing, sneezing or physical activities. This type of urinary incontinence is the more common of the two.
- Urge incontinence – A feeling of the need to urinate but not being able to make it to the restroom in time. Urge incontinence can happen even if the bladder is not full, sometimes hearing, drinking or touching water can trigger it.
- Mixed incontinence – A combination of elements of stress incontinence and urge incontinence
Urinary Incontinence Causes
- Weak urinary tract muscles
- Damage to urinary tract muscles and/or nerves
- Conditions that have stretched the pelvic floor
Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Most urinary tract issues can be cured by strengthening muscles around the bladder, but in some instances a surgical urinary incontinence treatment may be required. Common urinary incontinence treatments include:
Non-Surgical
- Medications
- Behavioral modifications
- Protective undergarments
- Vaginal/external devices
- Bulking injections
Surgical
- Neuromodulation- Designed for urge incontinence not responding to behavioral treatments or drugs, a stimulator device is surgically implanted. The stimulation of nerves to the bladder leaving the spine can be effective in many patients.
- Retropubic suspension- This procedure utilizes surgical threads to support the bladder neck. By securing the threads to strong ligaments within the pelvis, the urethral sphincter is better supported.
- Sling procedure- This procedures uses a strip of the patient’s own tissue to cradle the bladder neck. The ‘sling’ serves as support for the urethra during increased abdominal pressure.
- Midurethral sling- Designed to use synthetic mesh materials that Dr. Eisenberg places midway along the urethra to provide the right amount of support for the urethra.
For additional resources on common urinary tract issues in females, or to determine the correct urinary incontinence treatment, please contact the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area office of OBGYN Dr. Dennis Eisenberg.