Urinary Incontinence

Although urinary incontinence can occur in both sexes, it most commonly effects the female. The causes and the treatment of incontinence are different in the male as compared to the female. The following description is pertaining to the female incontinence. Female urinary incontinence is far more common than generally believed. Most patients consider it as a normal aging process and never tell anybody about it and do not seek help for it.

Urinary incontinence occurs in all ages, but it is more common in the older age group. It is estimated that the incidence of urinary incontinence is 5% to 10% in the elderly female, and in the nursing home population it can be as high as 40% to 50%.

There are several different causes of incontinence of urine. The exact cause of the condition needs to be diagnosed so that the proper treatment is instituted. A common cause is the weakness of the pelvio floor muscles and laxity of support to the bladder and urethra from the trauma of child birth. Prior vaginal and pelvio surgeries can also weaken the control of urination. Diseases affecting pelvio nerves can also cause this condition. Not uncommonly urinary tract infections cause loss of control on urination.

Evaluation of urinary incontinence is usually carried out in urologist office. A thorough history, physical examination, and urinalysis are the basic methods of evaluation. Depending upon the findings, further tests such as urodynamics (checking the capacity, pressures, movements, and contractions of the bladder) maybe needed. Sometimes oystoscopy, x-rays, and neurological examinations are needed for further evaluation.

The treatment depends upon the cause of incontinence. In very early cases, pelvio floor exercises maybe helpful. In some cases medical treatment with drugs can correct the condition. In other cases, surgery is needed to control the incontinence. In surgery again, there are different procedures, some are done through the abdomen, some through the vagina, and some through laproscopy. The urologist discusses the suitable procedure with the patient.