Treatment Options
Behavior therapies
Behavior modification is used to train one’s bladder and sphincter muscles by decreasing fluid intake and by prompting or scheduling voiding.
Pelvic muscle exercises
Called Kegel exercises, these exercises commonly are intended to strengthen weak muscles surrounding the bladder.
Protective undergarments
Basically these are pads undergarments designed to absorb leaked urine.
Catheter
These tubes are inserted into the urethra to collect urine into an external drainage bag. These are generally left in place 24 hours a day.
External devices
Called a Pessary, this device is designed to apply pressure to help re-position the urethra permitting it to close tightly. It features a stiff ring that is inserted into the vagina to exert pressure press against the wall of the vagina and urethra.
Medications
There are a number of medications to treat incontinence caused by urge to continually void. Where incontinence is stress related, there are no medications for to treat this. For incontinence caused by a combination of both urge and stress, drug therapy may be helpful in treating the urge component.
Surgery
There are a number of surgical approaches to strengthen, support, elevate and/or restore the urethra and bladder. These are employed when other treatments are not working and include:
- Retropubic Suspensions. Surgical procedures (Burch procedure) intended to restore the urethra and neck of the bladder to a higher anatomical position.
- Slings. Procedures used to treat that treats hypermobility in which a sling is used to support the urethra when there is increased abdominal pressure.
- Bone-fixed slings – treat incontinence by supporting the urethra with a graft material attached to the pubic bone.
- Self-fixated slings – can be used to support the urethra and are secured in place by friction and tissue ingrowth, and require no sutures or screws.
Female Urinary Incontinence Treatment in Colorado Springs
If you suffer from symptoms of urinary incontinence, please call our OBGYN office today at (719) 596-3344.