Urinary incontinence is more common among women than men. Of the 13 million Americans it affects, 85 percent are women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Types of urinary incontinence include stress, urge, mixed and overflow. As the Mayo Clinic explains, various treatments are available depending on the type and severity of the incontinence one has. Treatments range from behavioral and physical treatments to surgery.
Step 1
Try training your bladder if you suffer from urge incontinence. The purpose is for the patient to wait 10 minutes every time she feels the urge to go to the bathroom, lengthening the time in between trips until she eventually waits two hours to use the bathroom when the urge to urinate strikes. The Mayo Clinic explains that this technique also involves double voiding--urinating and then using the bathroom a few minutes later. This allows the bladder to empty completely, helping prevent overflow incontinence. Patients are instructed to relax and breathe when they feel the urge to go, and then distract themselves with an activity.
Step 2
Practice Kegel exercises. to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter, both of which are responsible for urinary flow. To find the pelvic floor muscles used during Kegels, act as if you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Contract these muscles, hold for a count of three, and release for a count of three. Eventually patients need to work up to three sets of 10 repetitions throughout the day.
Step 3
Take a medication. The Mayo Clinic explains that doctors commonly prescribe medications in combination with behavioral techniques to treat incontinence. Anticholinergics are a good choice for those suffering from urge incontinence, as they help calm an overactive bladder, while Imipramine--a tricyclic antidepressant--treats both urge and stress incontinence. Finally, topical estrogen, which comes in the forms of a vaginal cream, patch or ring, help calm an overactive bladder. Available by prescription only, The Mayo Clinic states that this medication helps relieve the symptoms of urge incontinence.
Step 4
Consider medical inserts. Medical inserts help prevent leakage in those who suffer from it. The urethral insert resembles a tampon, and is a disposable device a woman inserts into her urethra. This is the area of the body where urine exits, however with the insert, leakage is prevented. These are only available by prescription and are not meant for everyday use. Women who can predict certain situation--such as times of exercise like a tennis match--when leakage may occur--should request this prescription from their doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Medication
- Urethral inserts
