Nearly half of all women experience symptoms of urinary incontinence at some point during their lives, with that percentage increasing once a woman is in menopause.
That’s more than just coincidence: The same changes that cause other menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, can lead to incontinence, too.
In fact, urinary incontinence is so common during menopause that many women write it off as a natural part of aging. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Urinary incontinence is never normal, and while menopause can play a role, we can definitely treat those embarrassing symptoms.
Rafael J. Perez, MD, FACOG, and our team at the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery help women manage urinary incontinence symptoms with state-of-the-art therapies and minimally invasive procedures, based on each woman’s specific needs.
In this post, learn how menopause and urinary incontinence are linked and how we can help you manage those symptoms with treatment tailored to your needs.
Most people think of estrogen as the sex hormone that plays a major role in periods and pregnancy. That’s true — but that’s just part of what this hormone does. Estrogen also plays a pretty big role in urinary tract health and function.
For instance, estrogen helps keep the bladder and urinary tract tissue healthy, maintaining an elastic quality that promotes normal function. During menopause, the decline in estrogen causes these tissues to thin and weaken. Over time, these changes make it harder to control urine flow, increasing the risk of urine leakage or incontinence.
Estrogen decline can also lead to weakness in your pelvic floor, the collection of muscles and ligaments that form a supportive sling for your bladder and other pelvic organs. Combined, these changes can cause you to leak urine during physical activity — even as a result of coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
This type of urinary incontinence is called stress incontinence, and it’s the most common type.
Some women may experience a second type of incontinence called urge incontinence or overactive bladder (OAB). This type can be triggered by an increase in bladder sensitivity caused, once again, by lower estrogen levels.
Medications may be helpful in managing mild to moderate symptoms of urinary incontinence, especially when used alongside pelvic floor therapy.
But many women find they need additional help managing symptoms, or they simply don’t want to use medication. In those instances, Dr. Perez offers two state-of-the-art options: FemiLift® laser therapy and minimally invasive robot-assisted da Vinci® surgery.
FemiLift is a nonsurgical procedure that uses laser technology to stimulate collagen production and improve the tone and strength of the vaginal and pelvic tissues. By rejuvenating these tissues, FemiLift can reduce symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.
Dr. Perez performs FemiLift in-office, and it requires no downtime, making it an appealing option for many women seeking noninvasive relief. It’s also well-tolerated, so there’s no need for anesthesia.
The robot-assisted da Vinci surgical system uses cutting-edge technology to perform even complex surgeries through tiny incisions. Robot-assisted surgery involves less tissue damage and less blood loss during surgery, as well as a more comfortable and faster recovery period afterward.
For urinary incontinence, Dr. Perez uses da Vinci surgery to repair and restore damaged pelvic floor tissue, creating a strong support for your bladder and other pelvic organs.
Before recommending any treatment, Dr. Perez performs a comprehensive exam and testing to ensure you receive the appropriate option based on your anatomy, your symptoms, and other factors for optimal results.
Urinary incontinence may become more common as you get older, but that doesn’t mean it’s a normal part of aging or an acceptable symptom of menopause.
To learn how we can help you manage your urinary incontinence and lead a healthier, more confident life, request an appointment with Dr. Perez and our team at Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in South Miami, Florida, today.
