Many women respond to nonsurgical treatment for incontinence
1 out of 2 women suffer from some form of urinary incontinence, and many of these women respond well to nonsurgical treatment for incontinence. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns have the knowledge and experience to help women who suffer from symptoms such as urine leakage and the urge to urinate often or suddenly. Our physicians and staff work with women to discover nonsurgical treatments that will help alleviate their symptoms.
Making lifestyle changes is a primary nonsurgical treatment for incontinence
When women talk to our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns, they are surprised to learn that a nonsurgical treatment for incontinence is available. Lifestyle changes can help control the symptoms of incontinence.
- Weight loss helps because extra pounds exert pressure on the bladder.
- Smoking aggravates the condition, so it’s important to stop smoking.
- Women should avoid and treat constipation. Eating an adequate amount of fiber can promote regular bowel movements.
- Learning to manage fluid intake helps manage urine leakage. Women should aim for approximately 64 ounces of liquids per day in smaller amounts throughout the day.
- Bladder training is an effective nonsurgical treatment for incontinence in some women. Our staff teaches patients how to train their bladder by keeping a bladder diary and voiding their bladder at set times during the day.
- Dietary changes are another option that is easy to implement. These include avoiding caffeine and spicy foods.
- Learning how to do Kegel exercises properly helps stop urine leakage. When they are done properly, Kegel exercises help strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Our physicians and staff teach women the proper method for this exercise.
Medications and other nonsurgical options for treatment
Nonsurgical treatment for incontinence varies, depending on whether the patient has stress, urge or mixed incontinence. Women with stress incontinence don’t have specific medication options, but there are other methods that help with their symptoms. Physical therapists teach women how to do Kegel exercises, helping them learn how to properly strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal pessaries, silicone devices that are inserted into the vagina, also help reduce urine leakage.
Women with urge incontinence have a variety of options for nonsurgical treatment for incontinence.
- Oral medications or the Oxytrol patch
- Acupuncture
- Botox injections into the bladder
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is a procedure that stimulates a nerve that affects bladder function.
Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns urge women who have problems with incontinence to make an appointment to discuss the issue. No woman should be embarrassed to bring up this problem with our physicians or staff. It’s important to remember nonsurgical treatment for incontinence is available, and there is no reason to suffer in silence. Contact us for an appointment.