Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Treatments for Urge Incontinence in Women


The Basics


Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What is urgency incontinence? " � "Incontinence " � is the medical term for when a person leaks urine or loses control of his or her bladder. People with urgency incontinence feel a strong need or "urge " � to urinate all of a sudden. Often it is so strong that they cant make it to the bathroom in time. If you have these sudden urges but do not leak urine, you might have a condition called "overactive bladder. " � Urgency incontinence is also known as urge incontinence. � �
Urgency incontinence is common, especially in women. But there are treatments that can help. If you have urgency incontinence or overactive bladder, you don't have to "just live with it. " � � �
Is there anything I can do on my own for urgency incontinence? " � Yes. Here are some steps that can help reduce urine leaks or urges: � �
  • Cut down on any foods or drinks that make your symptoms worse. Alcohol, caffeine, spicy or acidic foods, or artificial sweeteners make some people urinate more often or cause sudden urges.
  • Try not to drink too much right before bed.
  • Prevent constipation " � Constipation is a common problem that makes it hard to have bowel movements. It can make urgency incontinence worse.

You can also try some things to help with bladder control: � �
  • Bladder retraining " � Bladder retraining helps your bladder hold more urine so you can urinate less often. During bladder retraining, you go to the bathroom at scheduled times. For example, you might decide to go every hour. Then you make yourself go every hour, even if you don't think you need to. If you need to go sooner, try to wait until the whole hour has passed. After you get used to waiting 1 hour, you can try waiting longer between bathroom visits. Over time, you might be able to "retrain " � your bladder to wait 3 or 4 hours between bathroom visits.
  • Relaxation can help manage the urge to go. When you get an urge, stand still or sit down. Take a deep breath, squeeze your pelvic muscles, and let the "wave " � of needing to go pass. Then walk slowly to the bathroom to urinate.
  • Pelvic muscle exercises " � Pelvic muscle exercises strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine. These exercises can help, but people often do them wrong. Ask your doctor or nurse how to do them correctly.

How do doctors treat urgency incontinence in women? " � The main treatments include medicines to relax the bladder, and procedures to relax the bladder. These are discussed in more detail below. � �
Medicines to relax the bladder " � These can help get symptoms under control. Medicines include oxybutynin (brand name: Ditropan), tolterodine (brand name: Detrol), fesoterodine (brand name: Toviaz), solifenacin (brand name: VESIcare), and darifenacin (brand name: Enablex). They come in pills you take by mouth and patches or gels you put on your skin. � �
Medicines for urgency incontinence can cause side effects, including: � �
  • Very dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Trouble thinking and remembering things
  • Blurry vision
  • Fast heart rate
  • Sleepiness

If you are older, ask your doctor if it is safe to take these medicines. If you have any trouble thinking or remembering things, some of these medicines could make these issues worse. � �
If you take medicine to help with urgency incontinence or overactive bladder, you might need to try several different medicines before you find a treatment that works for you. If medicines that relax your bladder do not work for you or cause too many side effects, talk to your doctor about other treatments. For some women who have vaginal dryness after menopause, estrogen creams can be an effective treatment. � �
Procedures to help relax the bladder " � If medicines don't help your symptoms or you can't take medicines, your doctor might suggest 1 of 2 procedures: � �
  • An injection (shot) of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the bladder to help it relax " � The injection needs to be given about once a year. These injections can cause trouble urinating in about 1 out of 4 women who get them.
  • Treatment with electrical nerve stimulation " � This is done with a device that goes under the skin, like a pacemaker. Electrical stimulation sends mild electrical signals to nerves that affect the bladder. The signals do not hurt. This treatment can reduce sudden urges or the need to urinate often.

How well do treatments for urgency incontinence in women work? " � That depends on the woman's symptoms and the cause of her urgency incontinence. For example, if another medical condition is causing the incontinence, treating that condition could help. � �
If you are being treated for urgency incontinence, you might need to combine treatments. For example, you might take medicine to help with symptoms of urgency incontinence and also do bladder retraining. It can take a while for treatment to work. Don't get discouraged if it takes several months or even longer for a treatment to work. � �
What will my life be like? " � Most women with urgency incontinence need some kind of treatment for a long time, or for life. Treatment for urgency incontinence in women can help symptoms, but does not cure the cause of the incontinence. � �
Even if treatment doesn't stop urgency incontinence completely, it can make life easier and help you feel a lot better. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 86014 Version 7.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. � �2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �

Copyright


� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer