Women's Health

Bladder Control Center

Bladder control problems are more common among Americans than Alzheimer's disease or osteoporosis. Both men and women experience the problem, though it is twice as common with women. For those who are coping with the condition, it is an important quality of life issue.

Even though urinary incontinence is a relatively common problem, many people are reluctant to seek help because they are embarrassed. Others are unaware that effective treatment is available. As a result, those with bladder control problems may be afraid to socialize because they fear venturing too far from a bathroom. Others are forced to limit physical activities. Some lose sleep or experience unpleasant, even painful, symptoms. Common urinary complaints include:

• leakage of urine with exercise, laughter, sneezing, coughing, etc. (Stress urinary incontinence)
• the need to hurry to the bathroom after getting the urge to urinate, with urinary leakage ensuing if they cannot get there in time. (Urgency/urge incontinence)
• chronic urinary tract infections
• post-prostatectomy incontinence
• urinary retention (inability to void)
• difficulty voiding
• pain on urination
• frequent urination during the daytime (voiding more than seven times per day)
• frequent nighttime urination
• inability to start the stream of urination
• straining in order to urinate

Women with (and without) voiding dysfunction can also have a variety of pelvic anatomic problems. Some of these problems are described below:

• cystocele: when the bladder drops into the vaginal canal
• rectocele: when the rectum drops into the vaginal canal
• enterocele: when the small bowel drops into the vaginal canal
• uterine prolapse: when the uterus drops into the vaginal canal
• vaginal vault prolapse: when the uterus has been removed and the cuff of the vagina drops into the vaginal canal

For many of these people, help is available.

In order to identify these problems correctly, testing is required.

Diagnostic tests include:

• careful physical and neurologic examination of the pelvic area
• cystoscopy: looking inside the bladder
• urethroscopy: looking inside the water channel (urethra)
• urodynamic testing: sophisticated bladder function testing as well as electromyography of the muscles around the water channel
• bladder instillations: used to help in diagnosing interstitial cystitis

Fortunately, there are a host of options available to treat urinary problems, including:

• biofeedback
• collagen injections
• pubovaginal slings/TVT/TOT
• neuromodulation
• pelvic reconstructive procedures to correct prolapse and other anatomic defects

The healthcare professionals at the Bladder Control Center are here to help you. Give us a call at 795-2121 or toll-free at 1-877-836-3900.

We look forward to helping you improve your quality of life.