Stress Incontinence Treatment in Atlanta, GA

Stress incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence that makes it hard to stop the flow of urine when pressure is placed on the bladder. This issue can cause sufferers to feel embarrassed, limit social activity, and it may also affect a person’s romantic life.

What are the Symptoms of Stress Incontinence?

Most patients with stress incontinence tend to lose bladder control during physical activity. In some cases, however, bladder leakage can occur from pressure applied to the bladder while in a sitting or standing position. Most commonly, leakage occurs when:

• Exercising or doing heavy lifting. This can include walking, running, jumping, etc.
• Laughing. Laughing can cause muscles to contract and for a person’s weight to shift, which may put pressure on the bladder.
• Sneezing. The sudden and forceful body movements caused by sneezing may cause a person with stress incontinence to leak urine.
• Sexual Intercourse. Engaging in sexual intercourse can cause pressure against the abdomen.

What are the Causes of Stress Incontinence?

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles that support the bladder and control the release of urine begin to weaken. Women are twice as likely to suffer from stress incontinence than men. In most cases, this is because of childbirth. During some births, muscle and tissue damage can occur to the pelvic floor. 

What is the Testing for Stress Incontinence?

Dr. Lowman may be able to demonstrate stress incontinence with a simple cough test. If not, more complex testing called urodynamic testing will be performed. This study allows not only your incontinence to be demonstrated but it provides information on the severity of the incontinence and your ability to urinate normally as well.

What is the Treatment for Stress Incontinence?

The first steps to treating stress urinary incontinence are often behavior therapies such as pelvic floor muscle exercises, dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and bladder training. There aren’t currently any approved medications to treat stress incontinence. 

Pelvic floor physical therapy and a vaginal device called a pessary are non-surgical treatment options for stress incontinence. If these measures fail or surgery is preferred, surgery can be performed outpatient in 15 minutes with very high success and very low risk of complication.