Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the accidental leaking of urine, sometimes referred to as poor bladder control.
Urinary incontinence can vary from an occasional small leak to complete lack of control of your bladder.
Women of all ages can be affected by urinary incontinence due to a number of different causes.
What is important to know is that urinary incontinence can be managed and in many cases cured.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence – loss or leakage of urine when there is an increase in abdominal pressure for example when you cough, laugh, sneeze, change position or are physically active such as with exercise.
Urge urinary incontinence – sudden intense need to urinate whereby you feel you cannot delay, which can result in a loss or leakage of urine before you reach the toilet.
Mixed urinary incontinence – a combination of stress and urge urinary incontinence, where you experience symptoms of both.
Overflow urinary incontinence – occurs when your bladder is never completely empty which can cause urine to leak.
Functional urinary incontinence – is when a physical or mental condition affects your ability to make the toilet in time, resulting in leakage. For example if you have arthritis and you are unable to unbutton your clothing quickly enough or walk to the toilet in time.
Diagnosing urinary incontinence
The first step towards managing and treating urinary incontinence is to have a complete continence assessment including:
Comprehensive urological and continence health history
Completion of urinary symptom questionnaires
Completion of a bladder diary
Urine test – midstream specimen of urine
Bladder scan (ultrasound of the bladder in order to assess how well you empty your bladder)
Your Urologist may require you to have further urological investigations to assist with diagnosis and planning of treatment options.
When to seek help?
Urinary incontinence is not something you should have to put up with, nor should it be considered a normal part of ageing.
Urinary incontinence can be a symptom of more serious underlying conditions. It can also greatly affect your quality of life, general health and wellbeing.
Diagnosis, care, management and treatments are available for all types of urinary incontinence.
Treatments provided by our practice
Conservative management
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Lifestyle and behavioural strategies, continence and urological nursing support, and referral to allied health professionals where required.
Medication therapies
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Medications to assist with overactive bladder symptoms
Surgical treatment options
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Botox bladder injections, performed under Local Anaesthetic, or General Anaesthetic in individual situations.
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Bladder bulking agents
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Female minimally invasive sling procedure
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Fascial /Autologous Slings
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Sacral neuromodulation
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Ileal diversion
Our practice specialises in the complete care and treatment for all types of urinary incontinence, from initial assessment and diagnosis to ongoing care and treatment.