Millions of Americans experience urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control. It is not a disease, but a symptom of a greater problem. At Saint Vincent Medical Group we welcome our patients in a professional, comfortable environment to determine and treat the cause of this uncomfortable ailment. We understand the privacy that these types of issues deserve in order for you to feel supported in your urological journey.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
- Stress Incontinence – Physical actions such as sneezing, laughing, coughing, heavy lifting, or exercising place pressure on your bladder that causes urine to leak.
- Urge Incontinence – A sudden strong need to urinate frequently paired with involuntary urination.
- Overflow Incontinence – The bladder does not empty entirely, leading to a constant trickle of urine.
- Functional Incontinence – The inability to make it to the toilet due to physical or mental obstacles.
- Mixed Incontinence – Any combination of the above types.
Urinary Incontinence Symptoms
Symptoms of urinary incontinence can include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty Urinating
- Painful Urination
- Frequent Urination
- Urge to Urinate
- Urinary Leakage
- Recurrent Waking from Sleep to Urinate
These symptoms can lead to a decreased quality of life and additional health problems. When incontinence becomes a persistent struggle and impacts your quality of life, this is the time to seek medical help. These symptoms could be the result of a more serious condition or cause limitation to enjoyable activities.
Urinary Incontinence in Men vs. Women
Statistically, 1 out of 4 men and 1 out of 2 women experience issues with urinary incontinence; however, they can stem from different causes and manifest differently. Incontinence in men is generally associated with prostate issues. Women are twice as likely to be affected by incontinence primarily due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Women, for example, may experience pelvic organ prolapse, which is when the muscles that support the pelvic organs weaken or become loose. Although incontinence can occur at any age, it is most common in older men and women. Post prostate surgery in men can also be treated effectively.
The first visit includes a thorough discussion and physical exam in order to best understand your health challenges. We’ll discuss your current lifestyle choices, diet, medications, and other health issues that you may be facing. Should additional procedures be necessary we offer:
We also offer various surgeries such as mid urethral sling, male sling and artificial sphincter, BOTOX® injections, and InterStim™ pacemaker surgery aided by our extensive experience and training.