OB/GYN — Urinary Incontinence (Loss of Bladder Control)

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Urinary incontinence is more common in women than in men. Mild leakage affects most women at some time in their lives. Severe leakage is less common and affects about one in ten women.

Many women leak small amounts of urine at times. These leaks can occur with certain physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Women may lose urine when they hear the sound of running water or when their hands are in water. Some women feel the urge to urinate and cannot control it. When leaks become frequent or severe enough to be a problem, it is called urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control.

Diagnosis

A number of steps may be needed to find the cause of urinary incontinence. During a detailed medical history, you will be asked about factors that may affect your voiding habits. A pelvic exam will be done to detect physical conditions that might be linked to the problem. Other tests measure how well your bladder empties:

• Stress test
• Dye test
• Urodynamics
• Cystoscopy

Loss of bladder control is a common problem and there are many treatment options available. However, it is important to seek professional help. If you have symptoms that affect your daily life, tell your PCM. A complete and thorough exam is needed to find the cause of the problem. In most cases, urinary incontinence can be greatly improved with treatment.

Your PCM may be able to sufficiently diagnose and treat you for urinary incontinence. If your PCM decides that you need specialized management your PCM can send a consult (referral) to our GYN service for evaluation, testing, diagnosis, and treatment.