Request Appointment
1300 330 279
What is Urinary Incontinence?

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the medical term provided when a person leaks urine or loses bladder control.

Incontinence is a very common problem, particularly as we age and progression can be influenced by a number of factors. Good news, once the underlying cause is identified, the treatment is very effective.

What are the types of Urinary Incontinence?

What are the types of Urinary Incontinence?

The three most common forms of urinary incontinence are:

  • Stress Incontinence – often leakage that occurs when you laugh, sneeze or run. 
  • Urgency Incontinence – the hallmark feature here is those whom get a very strong desire or ‘urge’ to need to go to the toilet that can result it not making it to the bathroom in time.
  • Mixed Incontinence – this is a culmination of the two incontinence pathways listed above and as such you may experience both of the above symptoms.
Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence

Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence

The treatment options for urinary incontinence will be very dependent on your diagnosis and severity. This becomes apparent from both a detailed history and examination and often urodynamic studies are indicated. 

Conservative Management

Conservative Management

Non-surgical management is typically reserve for urgency incontinence. This can involve bladder retraining, use of medications and pelvic floor physiotherapy. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also be utilised to treat mild stress incontinence.

Surgical Management

Surgical Management

Stress incontinence may require surgery, especially if pelvic floor physiotherapy fails to improve symptoms. There are a variety of procedures that can be offered. Sam offers a minimally invasive procedure – laparoscopic burch colposusupension. This procedure utilises a stich material to support the bladder neck and prevent leakage.

What should a patient expect?

What should a patient expect?

Every patient is different and will have a unique bespoke journey for their treatment of urinary incontinence. 

Patients should expect an initial 45 minute consultation that can be performed face to face of via telehealth. During the consultation:

  • A detailed history will be taken
  • In most cases, a pelvic examination with use of a speculum is required
  • Review of (or ordering) investigations such as urodynamics and urine analysis

A discussion on treatment planning will occur identifying your goals as a patient and should surgery be indicated there will be a detailed discussion about the processes, risks, costs, post-surgical management as well as time frames.

Get in touch

FAQs

When do you need surgery for urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is very common and can affect your quality of life. Surgery may be indicated if you have seen a specialist and other treatment modalities have not improved your symptoms and your quality of life continues to be impacted by daily urine leakage.

How do you fix female incontinence?

Incontinence symptoms can be complex, one size does not fit all. As such, bespoke care is required and a detailed consultation reviewing your history, examination and any investigations will best determine your treatment plan.

Does Dr Daniels offer non-mesh options for gynaecological surgery?

Yes, Sam does offer non-mesh surgical procedures for urinary incontinence.

What does the recovery look like after urinary incontinence surgery?

The recovery time is highly dependent upon the nature of your surgery and whether concomitant procedures need to be done at the same time, but typically will require 2 weeks off work.  

General advice is to avoid sex and heavy lifting (anything greater than 7kg) for a period of 6 weeks. You will be given advice on how to avoid constipation post the surgery to ensure that the stitches heal effectively and thus reduce the risk of the procedure failing.  

Request Appointment