Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder. This can occur as the result of bladder dysfunction, neurological disorders, muscle dysfunction or psychological problems. Several nonsurgical treatments for urinary incontinence in women are available. These treatments are used to help improve the symptoms of incontinence without requiring invasive surgical procedures.
Medications
Medications can be used to treat several different types of urinary incontinence. Because overactive bladder can contribute to urge incontinence, anticholinergic drugs are used to block the chemical that causes the bladder to contract and cause urinary urgency. Anticholinergic drugs include tolterodine, trospium, darifenacin, oxybutynin and solifenacin. Imipramine relaxes the bladder muscles, so it is used to treat stress and urge incontinence. Botulinum toxin type A is being tested as a treatment for overactive bladder and could help treat urge incontinence. This treatment is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the Mayo Clinic reports that it significantly improves incontinence symptoms without the side effects of other incontinence drugs.
Kegel Exercises
The flow of urine is stopped by the pelvic muscles, which can become weak during pregnancy or childbirth. Excess weight also strains the pelvic muscles, making them weaker and increasing the risk for stress incontinence. Kegel exercises are used to strengthen these muscles so that urine flow can be controlled. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that women squeeze the pelvic muscles as if urine flow needs to be stopped. The squeeze should be held for 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest. Complete two sets of 10 to 20 contractions each day for best results. It may take up to 12 weeks of regular Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback gives information about the physiological functions in the body so that an incontinence patient can make specific changes. During a biofeedback session for incontinence, two sensors are placed on either side of the anus. Another set is fastened across the abdomen. Both sets are attached to a computer screen so that a graph of the muscles is displayed while pelvic floor exercises are performed. Because some women use their abdominal muscles instead of their pelvic muscles during these exercises, watching the screen can help women to determine which set of muscles is being exercised. If the abdominal muscles are used instead of the pelvic muscles, a woman can change the way she performs the exercises so that the proper muscles are strengthened. These sessions are usually 30 minutes in length, according to UCSF Medical Center.
Bladder Training
Bladder training programs help people manage their incontinence. These programs can improve urinary control, increase the bladder's capacity and increase the amount of time between visits to the bathroom. Delayed urination is a bladder training technique that can help improve bladder control. Women who use this technique are instructed to hold their urine whenever the urge to urinate occurs. Breathing and relaxation techniques may be used to help a woman hold urine as long as possible. Scheduling bathroom trips is another way to train the bladder. This involves going to the bathroom at scheduled times, even if you do not have the urge to urinate. It may be necessary to adjust this schedule until you find one that works for you.
