Incontinence

• Go to the restroom as soon as your bladder is full. Try to empty your bladder completely, but don’t strain your muscles. Instead, stand up or shift position, and then try to urinate again.
• Use all-cotton or incontinence pads (not menstrual pads) to deal with urine leakage. All-cotton pads are more breathable, which helps prevent skin irritation.

• Limit alcohol, caffeine, coffee, tea, sodas and fruit juice. 
• Keep a diary to help you find any connections between your diet and your symptoms.

Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises and yoga.

Maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise. Excess weight puts pressure on your bladder.

• Check whether any of your medications or supplements list overactive bladder or urinary incontinence as a side effect.
• Control your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
• Don’t smoke. Nicotine is a bladder irritant, and tobacco can cause urinary tract cancers. Smoking may also make you cough, which can cause bladder leakage.

Sacral nerve stimulation uses an implanted device to activate the nerve above your tailbone that controls the bladder. An in-office procedure can check if this controls your symptoms. If it works, a doctor can put the device in your body during a minor surgical procedure. Tibial nerve stimulation uses a thin needle in the doctor’s office to stimulate a nerve on the inside of the ankle, which connects to the sacral nerve and helps control the bladder.

If surgery is your best treatment option, your urogynecologist will recommend the right procedure for you. The most common treatment is a minimally invasive procedure using vaginal tape. It supports the urethra to help prevent urine loss when you cough or move a lot.

Temporary causes of incontinence include:

• Acidic or spicy foods
• Bladder infections
• Certain medications
• Constipation (trouble moving your bowels)
• Pregnancy
• Too much caffeine

In these cases, lifestyle changes can often relieve symptoms. Other causes of incontinence include:

• Aging
• Blockage in the urinary tract, which can lead to kidney damage
• Menopause
• Neurological disorders, such as dementia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
• Pelvic floor disorder, such as pelvic organ prolapse, especially after childbirth

There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Doctors see patients like you often. At your appointment, bring up your concerns in a way that’s comfortable to you. Try using words like, “I’m concerned because there have been several times when I couldn’t control my bladder. What do you recommend?” or “I think I use the restroom too frequently. Is there a way to treat that?”

Incontinence may make you start avoiding exercise and social situations. Continual exposure to urine can result in skin rashes and infections. Some incontinence is caused by urinary tract obstructions, which can harm your kidneys if not treated. Bottom line: It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor.