Urinary incontinence is seen in men and women. Females attain bladder control before males, but as age progresses there can be incidences of accidental leakage in both men and women. The causes are different. The embarrassment due to accidental leak creates a stigma and emotional distress for the women preventing her from enjoying outdoor activities or sexual activities. But like every disease has a cure, urinary incontinence is also curable.Get Estimate

Women face the embarrassment of urine leakage after pregnancy, childbirth or during menopause. The alignment of the bladder in the female pelvis also makes her twice as much vulnerable to leaks as compared to males. The causes of incontinence are the same in men and women except for the addition of childbirth and menopause.

The functioning of the bladder is controlled at the local level by a micturition reflex and by the spinal cord and the brain at the higher level. The brain has centers that tell the individual if it is the right place and time to urinate. These centers are affected in conditions like Stroke, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s and Brain tumor because of which the person may urinate immediately after she gets the urge. The person may pass urine in bed, in a gathering etc. This is a type of urge incontinence.

At times the person may suffer from spinal cord injury. The spinal cord has nerves that carry sensation of bladder fullness from the bladder to the brain. As soon as the brain senses bladder fullness, it instructs the individual to go to the washroom to relieve him. Till such a place is found the brain sends signals through other nerves to keep the bladder opening closed. But in cases of spinal cord injury, this connection between the brain and bladder is lost as the spinal cord nerves are cut.

• Behavioral modification : Involves bladder training and timed voiding. Adjusting the time of fluid intake before bedtime or before going for a car trip or party can help avoid accidents during sleep or parties. Also timed voiding involves emptying of bladder after regular intervals. This technique is suitable for people with mechanical compression of bladder or overflow incontinence.
• Kegel Exercise : Involves strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles which help to keep the sphincter muscles tight which in turn keep the bladder outlet closed during strenuous activities. Pull in the pelvic muscles and hold for a count of 3. Then relax for a count of 3. Repeat, but do not overdo it. Work up to 3 sets of 10 repeats. This is possible with the help of biofeedback also. This helps people with stress incontinence.
• Medications : Certain medications help to relax the bladder and surrounding muscles to allow full emptying (Alpha blockers). Anticholinergics relieve the bladder muscle spasm thus preventing sudden bladder contractions.
• Neurostimulation : Of the nerves that leave the spinal cord and supply the bladder can help by modulating the nerve signals to the bladder which helps to control voiding. It is helpful in some people.
• Vaginal Devices : Like pessaries are a stiff ring that a doctor or nurse inserts into the vagina, where it presses against the wall of the vagina and the nearby urethra. The pressure helps reposition the urethra, leading to less stress leakage. If you use a pessary, you should watch for possible vaginal and urinary tract infections and see your doctor regularly.
• Surgery for Stress Incontinence :
  In some women, the bladder can move out of its normal position, especially after childbirth. Different techniques have been developed by surgeons for supporting the bladder back to its normal position. The three main types of surgery are retropubic suspension and two types of sling procedures.