Stress incontinence

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Anterior vaginal wall repair	Female urinary tract	Male urinary tract	Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence

Incontinence - stress

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and how much they interfere with the person's everyday life. 

The doctor may also ask that you stop smoking (if you smoke) and to avoid caffeinated beverages (such as soda) and alcohol. Patients may be asked to keep a urinary diary, recording how many times you urinate during the day and night, and how often urinary leaking occurs.

There are four major categories of treatment for stress incontinence:

• Behavioral changes
• Pelvic floor muscle training
• Medication
• Surgery

Behavioral changes involve decreasing how many fluids you drink, if you drink an excessive amount during the day. (You should not decrease your fluid intake if you drink normal amounts of fluids.) Urinating more frequently may help some patients decrease the amount of urine that they leak. Constipation can make urinary incontinence worse, so dietary or medical treatments to help keep regular bowel habits are recommended. Weight loss has been shown to help decrease symptoms in those who are overweight. Some people with severe stress incontinence may change their activity level to avoid movements such as jumping or running, which can cause greater leakage of urine.

Pelvic muscle training exercises (called Kegel exercises) may help control the leakage of urine. These exercises improve the strength and function of the urethral sphincter. Some women may use a device called a vaginal cone along with pelvic exercises. The cone is placed into the vagina, and the woman tries to contract the pelvic floor muscles in an effort to hold it in place. The device may be worn for up to 15 minutes. This procedure should be done two times a day. Within 4 to 6 weeks, about 70% of women have had some improvement in their symptoms.

Biofeedback and electrical stimulation may be helpful for those who have trouble doing pelvic muscle training exercises. These two methods help a patient identify the correct muscle group to work. Biofeedback is method that helps a person learn how to control certain involuntary body responses. About 75% of patients who have used biofeedback for stress incontinence have said their symptoms got better; 15% were cured.