Incontinence Guide

7 Urinary Incontinence Treatments for Women

Incontinence is more common in women than men and can significantly affect one's quality of life. It's essential to know that you're not alone on this journey. While almost every other article on the internet talks about adult diapers and panty liners, which are great for managing the condition, other incontinence treatment options are also available to regain bladder control. 

Let's learn what these treatments for incontinence are.  

7 Incontinence Treatments In Women 

1. Bladder Training  

Bladder training refers to regaining lost control. It is an effective treatment option doctors and urologists use to help the patient avoid embarrassing episodes and curb the fear of leaking urine. It involves keeping a bathroom diary, wherein you note whenever you feel urine leakage or a sudden urge to go. The log helps in scheduling bathroom visits. Here is how you do it -   

• Schedule the time to urinate  
• Add 15 minutes to the time.  
• Stick to the schedule despite having the urge.  
• Slowly increase the time between the breaks.   

It is easier said than done. Hence, to fight the urge, you can also try distracting yourself or practicing relaxation or breathing techniques. If nothing helps, use the bathroom, but try keeping to the schedule for better training.   

2. Pelvic Floor Training  

Pelvic floor training is one of the most common and effective urinary incontinence treatments in women to strengthen the pelvic muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and uterus. Research suggests combining Kegel exercises with bladder training can help treat incontinence in women. To do this exercise -  

• Squeeze the muscles as if you want to stop the flow of urine.   
• Hold it for five seconds and relax for the next five seconds.   
• Slowly increase the time to 10 seconds.  
• Work up to doing three sets of 10 contractions each day.  

Kegel exercises can blend into your daily routine. You can also use a Kegel exerciser for better training. 

3. Medical Devices  

Medical devices such as pessary or urethral inserts go up to the urethra – the passage where the urine travels after being released from the bladder. They act as a barrier or support to prevent urine leakage. A pessary is a soft, removable device placed inside the vagina or the rectum to support the organs affected by pelvic organ prolapse. It can also help treat stress incontinence, which causes urine leakage when you cough, strain, or exercise. A vaginal pessary is made with medical-grade silicone- a soft, harmless, and non-absorbent material. It can stay in place for several days and offers effective non-surgical treatment for incontinence or prolapse.    

4. Sacral-nerve Stimulation  

According to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, electrical stimulation is another effective urinary incontinence treatment in women. There are many ways to use electrical stimulation, including sacral nerve stimulation. It can also improve stress, urge, and mixed symptoms. Electrical stimulation is of two types - noninvasive and invasive. The noninvasive method includes passing the electrical impulse through the bladder muscle via a vaginal probe. The invasive way involves surgically implanting electrodes in the body to stimulate the sacral nerve.  

5. Catheters  

Urine retention is as unsettling as leaking urine. Your doctor might ask you to use a urinary catheter if you cannot empty the bladder conventionally. A catheter is a thin, soft tube that goes via the urethra to the bladder and helps urine flow out. There are many types of catheters for different purposes.   

6. Medication for Incontinence  

Anticholinergics or medication for incontinence block the chemical messenger acetylcholine. It sends signals to the brain that trigger an overactive bladder. When combined with behavioral changes, these medications are considered efficient in treating incontinence. Anticholinergics are prescription drugs taken in oral pill or tablet form and might take 12 weeks to work completely.  

7. Surgery  

If any of the above-mentioned urinary incontinence treatments for women don't work, your doctor may recommend surgery to create a surgical structure to support the urethra and prevent urine leakage. According to an article by WebMD, surgical procedures have a very high success rate. There are two major surgeries: The sling procedure and Retropubic Colpo suspension. The former is the most common and can be done as outpatient surgery using local anesthesia, meaning you can go home the same day. If you are considering these treatments for incontinence, consult your doctor to find which one will suit your needs the best. Your doctor might also ask you to make lifestyle changes to make the treatment more viable and effective. 

Where to buy the best-in-line products for incontinence treatment in women?

HPFY has been online since 2002. We carry a wide range of medical supplies to treat and manage a variety of health conditions. Our catalog includes urinary catheters, pessaries, kegel exercisers, adult diapers, and pads, to name a few. Explore our website today to find the right products for incontinence treatment for women.

 

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