If you struggle to control your bladder and have frequent urges to go to the bathroom, you may be suffering from urinary incontinence that can make daily life more difficult to manage. Fortunately, several treatment options exist for urinary incontinence, and one or more of these treatments may offer you relief from your problem.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
You might be able to stop your urinary incontinence on your own with pelvic floor exercises, and your doctor or another medical professional can give you instructions on how to perform these exercises correctly. Pelvic floor exercises involve tightening muscles in the pelvic region for a few seconds at a time and then relaxing them to help you gain better control over your bladder.
Prescription Medicines
Certain medications are known to help people who have trouble with bladder control. Oxybutynin or another anticholinergic may offer you relief. Men who struggle with this condition because of an enlarged prostate may find relief by taking alpha-blockers or phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Estrogen cream is sometimes prescribed to women with the condition.
Catheters
If your bladder doesn’t empty completely when you urinate, your bladder could overflow and cause urinary incontinence. Catheters may be prescribed to help you empty your bladder better and prevent bladder infections. These thin tubes are inserted through the urethra and into the bladder to drain any stored urine that’s left.
Botox Injections
If you haven’t been able to stop your urinary incontinence with other treatments, your doctor may recommend Botox injections. Botox is commonly used to smoothen facial lines to make the skin look younger, but the serum can also help relax muscles around the bladder that may become overactive and cause urine leakage.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is usually used as a last resort to treat urinary incontinence. Sling surgery involves creating an artificial sling to help keep the urethra from opening and letting out urine at inappropriate times. If a blockage along your urinary tract is causing your bladder to overflow and leak, surgery can be performed to remove the obstruction. Surgery to make the bladder larger so that it can hold more urine may also be recommended. Other surgical options include bladder neck suspension, artificial urinary sphincter insertion, or prolapse surgery.
You can take back control of your bladder functions by getting the urinary continence treatment that works best for you. A doctor who treats this condition can explain more about your treatment options and help you make decisions about your treatment plan.
