Urinary Incontinence and Leakage Treatment in Riverhead, NY
Urinary incontinence can cause discomfort and embarrassment for many women. Whether you are experiencing incontinence due to a weak pelvic floor or an overactive bladder, there are treatment options that can help.
At Suffolk Pelvic Medicine, we specialize in women’s pelvic health and wellness for patients in the Riverhead and Long Island area, and we can design a customized treatment plan to address the root cause of your symptoms. With a urinary incontinence treatment for women, you can reclaim your bladder control and your life, live symptom-free, and no longer have to arrange your life around incontinence or let it define you.
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, indicating a loss of bladder control. Disrupting daily activities and quality of life, it’s a widespread concern that can affect individuals regardless of age. It can have many different causes and can affect every patient differently, which is why there is such a wide range of treatment options.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Several factors can contribute to any type of incontinence. Some urinary incontinence causes include urinary tract infections, hormonal changes, a weak bladder, reduced pelvic floor muscle strength, and the natural aging process.
Weakened nerve signals in the pelvic floor can also contribute to this condition, as can the decrease in estrogen production during menopause or after a hysterectomy. Damage to the pelvic floor muscles as a result of an accident or childbirth can also be a cause of urinary incontinence.
Common Urinary Incontinence Symptoms
The primary urinary incontinence symptoms include recurrent urinary tract infections, irritation of the genital skin, urine leakage, the uncontrollable urge to urinate, frequent urination, urination that interrupts sleep, and urination during sleep.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
- Stress Urinary Incontinence: This condition occurs when actions such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising exert pressure on the bladder, leading to involuntary leakage. It indicates the bladder’s diminished capacity to withstand increased abdominal pressure.
- Urge Incontinence: This type of incontinence is marked by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary urine loss. It is often associated with an overactive bladder that cannot hold urine long enough for a timely bathroom visit.
- Overflow Incontinence: This condition arises when the bladder fails to empty completely, causing continuous or frequent dribbling of urine. It’s typically a result of the bladder being persistently full, often due to obstructions in the urinary tract.
- Functional Incontinence: This form of incontinence occurs when physical, mental, or environmental barriers prevent timely access to a toilet. It focuses on the challenges external to the urinary system itself.
- Mixed Incontinence: This term describes the simultaneous presence of symptoms associated with both stress and urge incontinence. Individuals facing this dual challenge encounter a complex set of symptoms, necessitating a comprehensive approach to management.
The Benefits of Our Treatments
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every individual faces unique challenges when it comes to managing urinary incontinence. Recognizing this, we offer customized treatment plans that fit each patient’s specific needs, symptoms, and lifestyle. This approach not only addresses the immediate concerns but also aligns with long-term wellness goals, so each patient receives the most effective and appropriate care.
Real Results and Significant Reduction of Symptoms
Our treatments are designed to deliver tangible outcomes, significantly reducing the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Patients often report a noticeable decrease in the frequency and severity of urine leakage, leading to a more comfortable and confident daily life. By targeting the root causes and employing advanced therapeutic techniques, we help patients regain control over their bladder function.
Improved Quality of Life
Living with urinary incontinence can be challenging, impacting everything from social activities to personal comfort. Our treatments focus on mitigating these impacts, aiming to restore a sense of normalcy and freedom. With the significant reduction of symptoms, patients enjoy an improved quality of life, marked by increased confidence, reduced anxiety, and the ability to engage in activities they love without fear or discomfort.
Our Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence
Exercise, Dietary, and Other Lifestyle Changes
In addressing stress urinary incontinence, specific exercises such as pelvic floor muscle training can improve bladder control. These measures aim to strengthen the muscles around the bladder and urethra, reducing the frequency of urine leakage. Adjustments to diet and lifestyle, including reducing caffeine and alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight, can also be important aspects of treatment for urinary incontinence.
Medications
A variety of medications are available as part of urinary incontinence treatments to manage symptoms effectively. For those with an overactive bladder, Botox® injections directly into the bladder muscle can help relax it, providing relief from the urge to urinate frequently. Other types of medication can help relax your muscles or help reduce the number of times you have to get up in the night to use the restroom.
Vaginal Radiofrequency Treatments
Our clinic offers urinary incontinence treatments using the Viora system. This female urinary incontinence device can help improve tissue elasticity and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and the muscles around the urethra, contributing to better bladder control. We select the right candidates for this non-invasive option based on an assessment of your condition and the cause of your incontinence.
Bulkamid®
Our urinary incontinence treatments with Bulkamid involve the injection of a soft gel into the urethra’s walls. This gel enhances the urethra’s ability to close, reducing or eliminating stress incontinence, potentially for several years. Bulkamid offers a straightforward, effective option for those seeking immediate improvement with minimal downtime.
Pessary Devices
A pessary is another type of female urinary incontinence device that can help support both your bladder and your urethra. These silicone devices are inserted into the vagina, helping to prevent urine leakage during physical activities. Pessaries are customizable and can be a suitable option for those seeking an alternative to surgery.
Axonics® Stimulator Therapy
Another of our urinary incontinence treatments is Axonics stimulator therapy. This neuromodulation therapy targets the nerves controlling the bladder, modulating their activity to improve bladder control. It’s particularly useful for patients with urge incontinence or those who haven’t responded to more conventional treatments.
FAQ
Common Questions About Urinary Incontinence
Diagnosing the specific type of urinary incontinence starts with a medical history and physical examination. Your healthcare provider may ask about symptoms, frequency of urine leakage, and any factors that exacerbate the condition. Diagnostic tests, such as urinalysis, bladder diary, and stress test, can help pinpoint the type of incontinence. In some cases, more advanced assessments can be used to understand the underlying causes better and guide the most effective treatment plan.
Determining the right urinary incontinence treatment depends on several factors, including the type of incontinence, its severity, your lifestyle, and any underlying health conditions. Treatment options range from conservative measures like lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises to medications, non-invasive therapies, and surgical interventions. In consultation with your healthcare provider, you can discuss the benefits and potential risks of each option to find an approach that aligns with your needs and preferences.
If you are among the millions of women suffering from some type of incontinence, you may be the perfect candidate for a personalized treatment plan at our office. No woman should have to suffer from incontinence. Regardless of the type or cause of your incontinence, we can evaluate your symptoms, listen to your concerns, and give you more details about the best treatment options.
Learn More About Our Urinary Incontinence Treatment for Women in Riverhead & Long Island
At Suffolk Pelvic Medicine, we serve Riverhead and Long Island, NY, and our customized treatment plans can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent you from feeling self-conscious about entering social settings. If you want to learn more, we can give you more details about Bulkamid, Axonics Stimulator Therapy, and our other treatments. Fill out a form online or call (631) 405-0898 for more information.