Urinary Incontinence

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

It doesn’t matter if it only happens when you sneeze or if it happens every time you need to go; when you suffer from urinary incontinence, it can be frustrating and embarrassing. Almost all women will suffer from urinary leakage at some point in their life. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. At The Avery Center we can help you understand why you are leaking and come up with options to suit your needs and your lifestyle. Solutions for incontinence can range from dietary changes to specialized pelvic floor physical therapy to medications, urethral injections or sling surgery. Dr. Ofer has performed thousands of sling surgeries for urinary incontinence. With his modern surgical techniques most patients go home just a few hours after surgery without a catheter and are back to their normal lives in just a couple days with minimal discomfort. If you live near Westport, Fairfield, or Norwalk, Connecticut, there’s no reason to wait to contact the The Avery Centers Bladder Dysfunction Program

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence, or the inability to adequately control your bladder, is common as you age. Aging muscles and weakening support systems can make you more likely to leak urine, but other things can contribute as well. Acute incontinence may be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or constipation. Diuretic drinks, like soda and coffee, and foods, including artificial sweeteners and chocolate, can increase the amount of urine you produce, making incontinence more likely.

Incontinence may also be caused by an underlying condition, such as:

Pregnancy
Childbirth
Menopause
Hysterectomy
Blockage
Neurological disorder

Are There Different Types of Urinary Incontinence?

There are several types of urinary incontinence, each differing in severity. The two most common types are stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when you leak urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting; urge incontinence is marked by a sudden urge to go, followed by a urine leak. Either condition can be caused by an infection, but may also be the result of a chronic condition like diabetes.

Other types of incontinence include:

Overflow: dribbling due to the bladder not emptying completely
Functional: impairment keeps you from making it to the bathroom
Mixed: more than one type of incontinence

How is Urinary Incontinence Treated?

At the Bladder Dysfunction Program at the The Avery Center, your OB/GYN offers a range of treatments for incontinence, depending on the severity and type you have. Their state-of-the-art urodynamics laboratory evaluates your bladder function through a painless exam, while a computer system monitors your bladder’s functioning by measuring the strength and timing of the muscles in your bladder, urethra, and pelvis. That helps determine the best course of treatment for your incontinency. To treat Urinary Incontinence, we use BTL Emsella, a breakthrough technology that provides those suffering from incontinence with a non-invasive option. For more information on this revolutionary technology, click here .

If you’re experiencing stress incontinence, your OB/GYN may recommend pelvic muscle exercises or physical therapy. It’s especially common after childbirth and can promote vast improvements. In other circumstances, your doctor may suggest medications that calm an overactive bladder, help with voiding all urine, or improve the health of the tissues surrounding the bladder. With severe cases or those that don’t respond to other measures, your OB/GYN may recommend a fractional laser treatment, an O-Shot, or a minimally invasive surgery.