Treatment Options

Urinary incontinence is not a disease, it’s a symptom and such is absolutely curable. There are many options for treatment on the market, some more appealing, permanent and affordable than others.

Absorbent pads and catheters are a popular treatment option, but not a cure for urinary incontinence. For some individuals, urinary incontinence products are a temporary strategy until they address and resolve the underlying cause of their incontinence.

Prescription medications are available to treat urge incontinence (overactive bladder). As with any medication, there is the risk of side effects and any positive effects realized by the drug are gone if you decide to discontinue its use.

Certain medical devices utilize electrical muscle stimulation for urinary and fecal incontinence and have been found to clinically cure incontinence. This method of treatment has gained popularity as it is an effective, safe, non-invasive treatment for stress, urge, mixed urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence.

Depending on the severity, type or underlying cause of incontinence, your doctor may recommend these treatments first to help strengthen and train your pelvic floor and bladder.

Therapists will often utilize bladder training, biofeedback, pelvic floor muscle exercises and electrical muscle stimulation in an office or clinic setting. Typically utilizing various techniques and incorporating certain medical devices.

Approximately 11 percent of patients seeking treatment for urinary incontinence will undergo surgery. Depending on type of incontinence, different procedures are available. Most require physical therapy post-surgical procedure.