Naturally & Non-Surgically Stop Bladder Leaks with
Conservative Treatments for Urinary Incontinence
Many women erroneously believe that bladder leaks are a “natural part of aging” that they have to “learn to live with.” But this is not the truth! Incontinence is never “normal” at any age. Women should understand that any type of bladder leak is due to a health or medical issue that can be treated.
Other women may realize that urine leaks are not normal – but fail to seek medical help because they are embarrassed or “afraid” of having to undergo surgery. But there is no need to be ashamed or scared. Urine leaks are the result of treatable medical conditions. And, the great news is that many natural, noninvasive, conservative treatments are available to stop or reverse bladder leaks, that do not involve surgery.
At the Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology & Women’s Health in the greater Toledo, Ohio area we are nationally renowned pelvic health experts. We offer a comprehensive and compassionate pelvic wellness program utilizing the most advanced natural and minimally invasive options for treating urinary incontinence.
Our non-invasive treatment options for incontinence include advanced pelvic floor therapy, as well as state-of-the-art medications and injections, coupled with personalized care coordination. So, in many cases, you can stop urinary incontinence and start living your life again – without needing surgery or other invasive treatments.
Diagnosing the Cause of Bladder Leaks
When your urinary incontinence has made life difficult, we offer you the latest technologies and most advanced incontinence treatments to treat your condition so that you can get your normal life back. And the first step in providing you with the best, most effective, and least invasive incontinence treatment is diagnosing the type and the underlying cause of your bladder leaks.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI): If coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting heavy objects causes your bladder to leak, you probably are suffering from stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is the result of weakening of the muscles and other tissues that support the urethra (pelvic floor muscles) and that control the release of urine (urinary sphincter). As a result of these weak muscles, any pressure inside the abdomen causes urine to leak through the ring of muscle in your bladder.
Childbirth and physiological changes due to aging are among the most common causes of stress urinary incontinence. Certain surgeries, smoking, injuries or trauma, and being overweight can also cause or aggravate stress incontinence. However, SUI it has nothing to do with psychological stress.
Urge incontinence: In this condition the bladder suddenly empties without warning, or the person feels the need to urinate frequently – even without a trigger such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercising. Sometimes called “overactive bladder” (or “OAB”) urge incontinence occurs when the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and bladder don’t work cooperate or coordinate to hold and release urine at the right time.
Diagnosing the cause of an overactive bladder can be difficult, and often requires the expertise of a specialized and experienced board certified urogynecologist like Dr. Croak. Bladder infection, obstruction, or inflammation, as well as an enlarged prostate can cause overactive bladder. Diseases that affect the nervous system – such as multiple sclerosis or stroke – can also cause urge incontinence.
Conservative Treatments for Urinary Incontinence
Pelvic Floor Therapy for Urinary Incontinence
The pelvic floor muscles that control the bladder and bowel functions are just like any other muscle in the human body, in that they can weaken or tighten up due to age or disuse over time. These muscles can also be stretched or injured during pregnancy, childbirth, trauma or surgery.
Just as a shoulder or knee muscle can be rehabilitated with therapy after damage, disuse, or trauma, the pelvic floor muscles can also be rehabilitated with physical therapy to restore strength and normal function. In many cases, pelvic floor physical therapy can restore muscle function, reverse bladder leaks, and prevent other pelvic floor dysfunctions later in life including prolapse and pelvic pain.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can rehabilitate abdominal and pelvic floor muscle tone, motor control and coordination – restoring bladder control and eliminating urine leaks, without invasive surgery.
Biofeedback & Bladder Training for Urinary Incontinence
Biofeedback uses electrical sensors to help you measure and make subtle changes to your body, to suppress urges to urinate. Similarly, bladder training involves training the muscles to delay voiding when feeling an urge to urinate – starting with small delays and gradually working up to urinating every three to four hours.
Medications & Hormone Replacement for Urinary Incontinence
For patients suffering from overactive bladder, medications that relax the bladder can be prescribed to reduce the sudden and frequent episodes of urge incontinence. Extended-release forms of these medications, including skin patches or gels, can often provide ongoing bladder control with few side effects.
The hormone decline of menopause can also cause a loss or weakening of tissue and muscles in the pelvic floor. Estrogen therapy can often help strengthen the muscles and tissues in the urethra and vaginal area – and can often significantly improve symptoms of overactive bladder. Estrogen can be prescribed in the form of creams, suppositories, rings, sub-dermal pellets, or oral medications. And bioidentical hormones can be given that are derived from 100% natural sources, that may be safer and free of many of the side effects of synthetic hormone replacement.
Injections for Urinary Incontinence
Botox – the same injections that paralyze facial muscles to prevent wrinkles – can also be directly injected into bladder tissues to relax the muscle that control urine retention and release. The effects of Botox can generally help prevent bladder leaks for six months or more, in certain types of incontinence.
Transurethral Bulking is another type of injection that can help prevent bladder leaks due to stress urinary incontinence. Bulkamid is a soft, smooth gel that consists of 97.5% water and 2.5% polyacrylamide. It is injected to provide volume to the urethra, and acts as a scaffolding for cell structure, to provide long lasting relief of stress urinary incontinence symptoms.
Non-Invasive Urinary Incontinence Treatment | Toledo, OH Area
If you are suffering from embarrassing or frustrating bladder leaks, Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology Women’s Health in the Toledo area proudly provides the latest, most advanced non-invasive treatments for urinary incontinence.
These non-surgical procedures allow you to regain control over your life while taking care of the source of your health concerns. Remember, in many cases, treating your urinary incontinence can be accomplished without surgery and with little or no downtime!
Schedule a consultation with Northwest Ohio Center for Urogynecology Women’s Health in the Toledo area, and start getting your life back today.
