Urinary incontinence, the unintentional leakage of urine, can be an uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating condition. At Oregon Urology Clinic, we understand the impact this condition can have on your quality of life, and we’re committed to providing comprehensive, empathetic care to help you regain control and confidence.

Understanding Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, simply put, is the loss of bladder control. This issue, while common, is often undiscussed due to embarrassment, leading many to suffer in silence. However, understanding this condition in depth is the first step to finding effective treatment and regaining control.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can result from various factors, ranging from temporary issues like urinary tract infections and certain medications to more lasting conditions such as aging, pregnancy, menopause, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, bladder stones, neurological disorders, and physical disabilities.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

There are several types of urinary incontinence, and understanding the differences can help identify the best treatment options:

• Stress incontinence: Leakage of urine when pressure is exerted on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting something heavy. This is commonly due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
• Urge incontinence: Also known as “overactive bladder,” this is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. It can be caused by infections, neurological disorders, or diabetes.
• Overflow incontinence: This happens when the bladder doesn’t empty properly, leading to dribbling or constant leakage of urine. It’s often due to bladder damage, nerve damage, or obstructions in the urinary tract.
• Functional incontinence: This occurs when physical or mental impairments prevent one from getting to the toilet in time.
• Mixed incontinence: A combination of different types of incontinence, typically stress and urge incontinence.

Diagnosis

At Oregon Urology Clinic, we use a range of methods to diagnose urinary incontinence. These can include a thorough medical history, physical exam, bladder diary, urinalysis, blood tests, post-void residual measurement, pelvic ultrasound, and urodynamic testing. In some cases, more specialized tests like cystoscopy or imaging tests may be necessary.

Treatment

Treatment for urinary incontinence is tailored to the type of incontinence, its severity, and the underlying cause. It typically begins with the least invasive treatments, such as behavioral techniques and physical therapy, and progresses to medication and possibly surgery if needed.

Our Approach to Urinary Incontinence Treatment

Our multidisciplinary team takes a comprehensive and personalized approach to treating urinary incontinence, ensuring the most effective treatment plan for your unique needs. Our goal is not only to alleviate your symptoms, but also to enhance your overall quality of life.

Initial Evaluation

The first step in our approach is a thorough evaluation. We spend time understanding your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and any potential triggers for your incontinence. We may use diagnostic tests, such as urinalysis, bladder diary, urodynamic testing, and cystoscopy, to determine the type and cause of your incontinence.

Developing a Personalized Treatment Plan

Once we’ve made a diagnosis, we create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. This plan is flexible and evolves as we monitor your progress and response to treatment.

Treatment Options

We offer a full spectrum of treatments, ranging from behavioral modifications and physical therapy to medications and surgery.

• Behavioral Modifications: We may suggest changes such as bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, or dietary modifications to help manage your symptoms.
• Physical Therapy: Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles that help control urination. We may also refer you to a specialist for biofeedback or electrical stimulation therapies.
• Medications: Several medications can help manage urinary incontinence. The choice of medication will depend on the type of incontinence you have.
• Medical Devices: For women, devices like a urethral insert or a pessary might be options.
• Interventional Therapies: Botox injections, nerve stimulators, or bulking material injections can be used to treat various types of incontinence.
• Surgery: If other treatments aren’t successful, surgical procedures such as sling procedures, bladder neck suspension, prolapse surgery, or artificial urinary sphincter may be considered.

Preventive Advice

In addition to providing treatment, we also advise on prevention strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent urinary incontinence. This could include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding bladder irritants, practicing pelvic floor exercises, and managing fluid intake.

Follow-Up Care

Continued care is a key part of our approach. We monitor your progress over time, adjusting your treatment plan as needed. We provide regular follow-up appointments to review your symptoms and ensure that the treatment is working effectively.

At Oregon Urology Clinic, our dedicated team is committed to providing compassionate and high-quality care for urinary incontinence. We stand by our patients at every step of their journey, offering expert medical treatment along with the emotional support and reassurance you need to live a fulfilling, confident life.

Living with Urinary Incontinence

At Oregon Urology Clinic, we believe in supporting our patients not only in their treatment but also in their day-to-day life. We provide advice on lifestyle changes that can help manage incontinence, such as maintaining a healthy weight, practicing pelvic floor exercises, avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, and quitting smoking.

Urinary incontinence can be a sensitive issue, but please know you are not alone. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to help you navigate this journey, providing expert care and support every step of the way. We’re committed to improving your quality of life, so you can live confidently and comfortably.