Female Incontinence

10/26/2021

GRANBURY, TX - The loss of bladder control, a common condition, can be embarrassing and infringe on your daily activities.

There are several types of urinary incontinence, according to the United States National Library of Medicine, with two being most common:

• Stress incontinence happens when stress or pressure on your bladder causes you to leak urine. This could be due to coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting something heavy, or physical activity. Causes include weak pelvic floor muscles and the bladder being out of its normal position.
• Urge, or urgency, incontinence happens when you have a strong urge (need) to urinate, and some urine leaks out before you can make it to the bathroom. It is often related to an overactive bladder and is most common in older people. It can sometimes be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and can occur along with some neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.

In adult females, there are several factors that can contribute to urinary incontinence:

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and/or menopause
• Age – as you age, your urinary tract muscles weaken, making it harder to hold in urine
• Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, or long-lasting constipation
• Smoking
• A birth defect that affects the structure of your urinary tract

“Treatments vary from exercises and lifestyle changes to medications and surgery,” states Donald Howser, M.D., board-certified OB/GYN. “It is best to schedule time with your doctor when you notice symptoms.”

The Lakeside Physicians OB/GYN team of Drs. Howser, Manley, and Stegenga all treat female urinary incontinence.

For more information, please call the Granbury office at (817) 279-1776 or (254) 968-1500 for the Stephenville office.

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