Urinary incontinence—the loss of bladder control—affects 15 to 25 million Americans. Its severity varies from patient to patient, ranging from occasional leakage when coughing, exercising or laughing to sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate without warning.
What are the most common types of urinary incontinence?
Urge incontinence: sudden and strong desire to urinate with only a few moments' (or even seconds') warning.
Stress incontinence: involuntary loss of urine during physical exertion—such as lifting heavy objects and exercise, or even coughing, laughing and sneezing—that puts pressure on the bladder.
What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?
Strong urge to urinate, whether or not the bladder is full, often accompanied by pelvic pressure
Urinating more often than normal
Need to urinate during sleep
Bed-wetting or leaking while sleeping
What treatment options are available?
Pessary: Ring device inserted into the vagina to help hold up the bladder and prevent urine leakage. A pessary can serve as an alternative to surgical correction of a prolapsed bladder or uterus.
Graft and mesh augmentation: Technique to repair, replace and/or reinforce tissue with synthetic or natural materials and strengthen the structures that support pelvic organs.