Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It affects up to one in three women at some time in their life. The severity can ragne form occasional loss of urine when you cough or sneeze to needing to wear a pad daily to protect yourself or having a urge to urinate that is so sudden and stong that you don’t make it to the toilet on time. Leaking urine can make your personal life and relationships very difficult so its important to speak up and seek help.

HOW YOU MAY FEEL

Depending on the type of urinary incontinence you have the way you experience loss of urine will be different. The two main type of urinary incontinence are stress and urge incontinence.

Stress incontinence occurs when the ligament and muscle supports of the bladder outlet are not working properly. This means when you cough, strain, jump or lift there is not enough strength to keep the bladder closed and you loose urine.

Urge incontinence may be the result of the bladder muscle contracting when it should be relaxed. This leads to a sudden and strong urge to pass urine, needing to race to the toilet and potentially not making it to the toilet on time.

In many cases both type will occur at the same time, this is called mixed urinary incontinence.

HOW I CAN HELP

I will take a full history to try and determine the type of incontinence you are experiencing. I will also assess for factors that may have caused or be worsening your symptoms including, medications, smoking, caffeine intake, constipation, obesity, coughing cough heavy lifting and other medical conditions. Although symptoms may suggest which type of incontinence is present further evaluation may be required including a pelvic and vaginal examination, a bladder diary, a test for infection, an ultrasound and sometimes specialised urinary tests called urodynamic studies or even a cystoscopy to look at the inside of your bladder.

Based on this information we will discuss the management, which best suit, your situation. These can range from simple behaviour changes, medications to improve your vaginal tissues or reduce the irritability of the bladder, to surgery.

A lot can be done to help you. The first step is understanding that accidentally losing urine is not normal and to seek help.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING

When you come in for your appointment make sure your bring:

• Referral form – If you don’t have one, call the day prior and we will try and arrange a copy from your GP.
• Any test results you might already have.
• Any imaging your might already have.
• A list of all the medicines you are taking, including the ones you have bought without a prescription.
• Your Medicare card.
• Your private health insurance information.