Urinary Incontinence Causes and Treatment Options

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that affects millions of people and causes a lot of disruption to daily life. While it more commonly affects women, men can also be affected by it. Weakened bladder muscles caused by aging is a primary cause, but there are numerous reasons a person can develop urinary incontinence and it can happen at any age. 

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control, and it can be an embarrassing problem for both men and women. The severity can range from minor bladder leaks to fully emptying the bladder. According to the Urology Care Foundation, one-quarter to one-third of men and women experience urinary incontinence. While women are more likely to develop incontinence than men, it can affect anyone. 

Urinary Incontinence Causes

While aging is the most common cause of urinary incontinence, it is not the only cause. Childbirth, enlarged prostate, certain neurological conditions, infections, pregnancy, diabetes, being overweight, and menopause are some other potential causes of incontinence. Temporary incontinence can also be caused by consuming certain foods or drinks and medications. Some of these causes are easy to treat while others are more serious and have more lasting effects. Even if the cause isn’t serious, incontinence can be a major disruption to your day-to-day life and should be discussed with your doctor. 

Temporary Causes

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Drinks
• Artificial Sweeteners
• Spicy Foods
• Certain Medications (heart, blood pressure, muscle relaxants, sedatives)

Persistent Causes

• Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Aging
• Menopause
• Enlarged Prostate
• Prostate Cancer
• Obstruction
• Neurological Disorders

Symptoms

In general, urinary incontinence refers to loss of bladder control. There are different forms that can cause different kinds of bladder loss that range in severity. 

Stress incontinence occurs when you exert pressure on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, exercising or lifting something heavy. Even laughing hard can cause stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence refers to a strong and sudden urge to urinate. You may not be able to make it to the bathroom in time. 

Overflow incontinence means your bladder doesn’t completely empty and you may notice leaking or dribbling. 

Functional incontinence is a physical or mental barrier that prevents someone from making it to the bathroom on time. This can be Alzheimer’s or dementia, severe arthritis, or stroke or spinal injury. 

Some people may also experience a mix of stress and urge incontinence. It’s important to describe your symptoms in detail to your doctor so they can diagnose which type of incontinence you are dealing with. 

Treatment Options

While you may feel nervous or shy about talking to your doctor about this, it’s important to know that there are many different treatment options available that can either resolve the underlying health condition or help manage symptoms. Some treatment options include bladder training, behavioral therapy, medication, weight loss, catheter placement, and lifestyle changes such as reducing bathroom barriers. 

Viveve Solutions Treatment for Women

At Vida Hormone Therapy & Integrative Health, we are thrilled to offer Viveve Solutions as a treatment for urinary incontinence in our Miami, Florida office. The Viveve treatment is a non-surgical option for women who are suffering from urinary incontinence and intimate wellness. Viveve Solutions can also decrease vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. There is no anesthesia, no surgery, and no down time. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and find out if Viveve Solutions is right for you!