Improving a Leaky Bladder Eliminating Stress Incontinence In Women

By Briana Walton, MD

Anne Arundel Medical Center

. http://www.aahs.org/

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Improving a Leaky Bladder Eliminating Stress Incontinence In Women

If you're a woman, perhaps this has happened to you You sneeze, cough or start out on your morning walk, and then suddenly you leak some urine.

At best, this is frustrating, even if this type of incontinence called stress incontinence is only an occasional problem.

But what if stress incontinence is disrupting your life, and conservative treatments including pelvic exercises have failed to help? Now it's more bothersome. It's something you are tired of tolerating and don't want to tolerate any longer.

And in all likelihood, you don't have to tolerate incontinence.

When stress incontinence is significant and other treatments aren't effective, a relatively minor surgery can usually help you lead a more normal life again.

One procedure called mid-urethral sling surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny incisions, which speed healing. The procedure is an outpatient surgery that can be done with minimal anesthesia.

Sling surgery is highly effective. Five to ten years after surgery, as many as 85% of women will remain free from bladder leakage. Up to 13% more women will have improved bladder control markedly.

How It Helps

Pregnancy, childbirth, pelvic surgery and even decreasing estrogen levels all can weaken the support of the pelvis. As a result, the neck of the bladder can drop. This can keep the urethra the tube that carries urine from the body from staying shut during moments of physical stress, like coughing or heavy lifting.

Sling surgery helps support the urethra. This is done by placing a sling a hammock-like material under the urethra. This provides the support necessary to keep the urethra closed when it should be closed. The sling is inserted with three small incisions.

The surgery's success rate is similar to more invasive abdominal surgery to treat stress incontinence. Like any operation, sling surgery does carry some risks. Though uncommon, they include infection, damage to the bladder, and new urinary problems such as urge incontinence, which is characterized by a sudden, strong urge to go.

Typically, a sling procedure is performed when non-surgical treatments have not improved bladder control. Non-surgical treatments include weight loss, pelvic exercises, avoiding caffeine and maintaining a healthy body, including the vagina.

Talk to your doctor about the best option for you. With the right treatment, your incontinence can become a faint memory.