Millions of women suffer from urinary incontinence — in fact, data show as many as 70% of women will deal with symptoms or UI at some point in their lives. While once accepted as part of the aging process particularly for women in menopause, today we know UI isn’t normal — and it can be treated successfully.
At the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, OB/GYN Rafael J. Perez, MD, FACOG, helps women find an incontinence treatment option that works for their needs, offering long-term relief for greater comfort and confidence.
If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, these are the treatment options you should know about.
Women with mild to moderate UI symptoms are often surprised to learn they can find relief with medication, especially for symptoms associated with urge incontinence or overactive bladder (OAB).
Medicines are available to soothe irritable bladder muscles, reducing or preventing contractions and overstimulation that can otherwise lead to urgency symptoms.
Other women benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace or supplement estrogen levels that decline during menopause or as a result of other medical issues.
Antidepressant medications and pseudoepinephrine, a medication found in some cold medicines, may help reduce symptoms or urge and stress incontinence, as well.
Most women have heard of Kegels, exercises designed to tone and tighten the pelvic floor, a group of muscles and ligaments that support your bladder and other organs. These exercises are routinely recommended for women following pregnancy, as well as for women in or nearing menopause.
If you have stress incontinence — the type that causes leakage when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise — Kegel exercises can provide significant symptom improvement when you perform them consistently over time.
A pessary is a small device designed to fit the shape and contours of your vagina. Once inserted, the pessary provides additional support for your bladder and urethra, helping relieve symptoms associated with stress incontinence, particularly when your symptoms are related to pelvic floor weakness.
Pessaries are custom-fitted for comfort and security, and you insert, remove, and clean your pessary yourself. Depending on your symptoms, a pessary can provide immediate relief from leakage symptoms.
While conservative treatments may be effective for some women, others need a more comprehensive solution — and that’s when minimally invasive surgery can help.
Dr. Perez is skilled in minimally invasive techniques as well as robot-assisted surgery using the DaVinci® surgical robot system.
Urethral sling surgery helps many women reduce or eliminate UI symptoms by providing extra support for a weak pelvic floor. In this surgery, Dr. Perez inserts a sling made of a special surgical mesh.
The sling acts as a supportive hammock for your bladder and urethra, helping them function the way they’re supposed to while avoiding embarrassing leakage.
Other women benefit from a different type of surgery called bladder lift surgery. This surgery gently repositions your bladder to its normal position so it’s able to function normally.
Both surgeries can be beneficial for women who have pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that causes the bladder and other pelvic organs to shift downward as a result of pelvic floor damage or weakness.
Urinary incontinence is a lot more common than many women realize, but with a custom treatment plan targeting your symptoms and other personal factors, you can finally find long-lasting relief.
To learn how we can help, request an appointment with Dr. Perez and our team at the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in South Miami, Florida, today.
