Urinary Incontinence

Cheryle Gartley

My prescription for urinary incontinence helped but I’m still having problems. What other options do I have? Lifestyle changes? Exercises? Surgery?

Medications are usually prescribed to treat the types of incontinence called overactive bladder and urge incontinence (including the urge component of mixed incontinence). There are several anti-muscarinic drugs approved for this type of incontinence in the United States, so you may want to ask your physician about possible medications among other available treatments.

Other options for treating this type of incontinence are wide-ranging and include: behavioral therapies that may calm the bladder, such as pelvic floor muscle exercises, biofeedback and bladder retraining; lifestyle changes including fluid and diet management; alleviating constipation; and electrical stimulation techniques.

Bladder retraining is a commonly used technique. Gradually lengthening the time between trips to the bathroom teaches your bladder new habits, helps you gain control over urges, and trains the bladder to fill more completely. Understanding the relationship between fluid intake and bladder control can also help you to make appropriate changes. Some people drink six to eight glasses of water per day and then consume tea, coffee, and foods high in liquid content; others may overwhelm the bladder by drinking too much fluid at one time. One can also err by drinking too little fluid which can result in urine overly concentrated with body waste products, causing irritation and increased urge and frequency.

Medications being taken for another condition (such as high blood pressure or heart problems) can contribute to the problem. These medications are important for your health and you should not make adjustments on your own. However, your doctor may suggest a different dosage, something as simple as a different time of day for taking the drug, or even an alternate medication which could lessen your symptoms.

As you can see, there is a wealth of opportunity to regain bladder control. Two of the biggest weapons in the arsenal for treating this type of incontinence are under your control: patience and perseverance.

Cheryle Gartley
Founder and President, the Simon Foundation for Continence
www.simonfoundation.org