GYN.COM PRESENTS

LIFE LONG WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE

ERIK N. COHEN, M.D. AND ASSOCIATES

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE

Simply stated, it is the involuntary loss of urine. Incontinence can be separated into several types. Stress incontinence is when you lose urine when coughing, sneezing, lifting, or exercising. This is most common after childbirth which damaged the pelvic support.  Surgical repair of this condition is not necessarily permanent and recurrences are common depending upon the surgical method used. Urge incontinence is when you have a sudden strong desire to urinate and are unable to make it to the bathroom in time.  Urge incontinence is NOT generally a surgically treatable condition.  At times daily medications can be used to control the urge while you are on the medication, however the urgency returns with the stopping of the medication.  Overflow incontinence is when you have continual urine leakage, or you feel you may not be emptying your bladder completely. Fistula (a hole in your urinary system) can cause a continuous urinary leakage.  This is generally correctable by surgery.  You may have one or a combination of these types of incontinence. Remember urinary incontinence is a symptom of a medical problem and not a disease.

FACTS ABOUT URINARY INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence effects over 13 million people in this country and costs more than $15 million yearly. Despite the fact that nearly 3 persons out of 10 will have symptoms of urinary incontinence less than 50% will report the problem to their doctors. Many people, especially women, falsely believe that it is a normal consequence of aging. Incontinence can cause social stigma, embarrassment, skin problems and odor problems.
BLADDER TRAINING: This behavioral therapy is individually designed for your specific voiding problem. It will help you develop a voiding schedule and techniques to help you remain dry. At the same time, it will ensure that you are voiding at optimum intervals.

FLUID AND DIETARY MANAGEMENT: We can help you modify your diet and fluid intake so as to decrease your risk of urinary incontinence as well as assure that you have good bowel habits

PESSARIES: These devices are designed for women who have leaking due to a bladder that has "dropped” a minimal to moderate degree. These devices are fitted specifically for you and are inserted vaginally. They are comfortable and easily managed. We have several types available.

CONTINENCE PRODUCTS: We can show you a full line of containment products such as urethral patches, pads and protective underwear, male condom catheters and external collection devises that are available in local stores, mail ordered, or purchased thorough durable medical equipment carriers.

PLEASE REMEMBER: OFTEN TIMES YOUR PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED WITHOUT HAVING SURGERY. PLEASE CONSIDER TRYING NON‑SURGICAL OPTIONS FIRST IF YOUR DOCTOR AGREES.

IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR TREATMENT OPTIONS, PLEASE CALL.

Copyright © 2001 Erik N. Cohen M.D. and Associates
Last modified: December 02, 2001