Urinary Incontinence Treatments

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy includes:

• Making muscles stronger by doing Kegel exercises
  • This strengthens the muscles that hold the bladder in place and those that control urine flow.
  • Painless electrical stimulation is sometimes used to strengthen the muscles more quickly and is helpful for stress incontinence.
• Bladder training
  • This can be done by setting a regular, timed schedule for emptying your bladder and by drinking fewer liquids.

Weight Loss

If you are a woman who is overweight or obese, losing weight may help to reduce the number of episodes due to stress or urge incontinence. Talk to your doctor about a weight loss program that is right for you.

Medication

Medicines may be prescribed to relax the bladder muscles. These types of medicines, called anticholinergics, are often used in treating urge incontinence. Examples include:

• Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
• Tolterodine (Detrol)
• Darifenacin (Enablex)
• Solifenacin (Vesicare)

Nerve Stimulation

Nerve stimulation is effective for urge urinary incontinence. It can be done by stimulating a nerve in your ankle. Or, it can be done by implanting a device that stimulates the bladder nerves.

Surgery

In women, surgery can repair weakened muscles related to bladder function. Other procedures involve collagen injections into the urethra. The bladder sphincter can be repaired or implants can be inserted.

Devices

Absorbent diapers are often used with incontinence.

Plugs and patches that hold urine in place are available for women. Catheters are sometimes used to treat more severe cases. Alternatively, pessaries may be used in women. Pessaries are devices that raise the uterus or the prolapsed bladder. This decreases pressure on the bladder.