Urinary incontinence is a disorder that causes uncontrolled urine leakage, which can happen anytime, causing embarrassment and discomfort. The condition can be due to age, childbirth, menopause, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Urinary incontinence can make your daily life miserable, leading to feelings of shame and isolation. You may avoid social situations, leading to a loss of confidence and a decrease in overall well-being. Fortunately, the team at Bellingham Urology Group offers treatments such as Botox injections and behavioral therapy that can restore your continence.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy involves changing certain habits and behaviors that contribute to bladder problems. Your doctor may recommend bladder training, which involves scheduling regular bathroom trips and gradually increasing the time between trips as your bladder strengthens. The team may teach you techniques, such as deep breathing or pelvic muscle exercises, to help you relax and control your urge to urinate. They may also teach you how to monitor your fluid intake and avoid certain drinks, such as caffeine or alcohol, that can irritate your bladder. You may benefit from this treatment if you have stress or urge incontinence.
Pelvic floor therapy
Pelvic floor therapy is designed to strengthen the muscles that control your bladder and rectum, which can weaken due to age, pregnancy, or childbirth. The therapy consists of specialized exercises and other techniques that can help improve your bladder control and reduce or eliminate urinary incontinence. During pelvic floor therapy, your provider may ask you to perform various exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles. Additionally, you may receive manual therapy, such as massage or trigger point release, to help relieve tension in your pelvic floor muscles. Depending on the severity of your incontinence, your provider may schedule your therapy sessions weekly or bi-weekly for several weeks or months and monitor your progress throughout the treatment process.
Botox injections
Botox injections relax the muscles in your bladder, which helps to reduce the urge to urinate and increases bladder capacity. The procedure typically takes around 30 minutes to complete. During the treatment, your doctor uses a small needle to inject Botox into your bladder muscle. They administer the injections using a cystoscope, a thin tube with a camera attached to it, allowing them to see inside your bladder. You may experience some mild discomfort or urinary tract infections after the procedure. However, these side effects are usually temporary; you can manage them with medication.
InterStim surgery
InterStim surgery involves implanting a small device under your skin near the tailbone. The device sends mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerves, which control your bladder and surrounding muscles, to help regulate their activity. You may experience improved bladder control within a few weeks of the procedure; your doctor can adjust the device if necessary to optimize results. Your provider may suggest InterStim surgery if other treatments fail to offer the desired outcome. While this surgery can effectively reduce incontinence symptoms, it is not a cure for the underlying condition. You must still follow certain lifestyle modifications and continue your recommended treatment plan to maintain your results.
If you have urinary incontinence, call the practice or book your spot online for diagnosis and treatment.
