Bladder Control Problems

Several bladder control problems can exist for patients of Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology. Dr. Gandhi is committed to helping women of all ages address urinary problems and find an effective, safe solution that works. Many bladder control problems can be improved with treatments including bladder instillations, urethral suppositories, behavioral techniques, medications, rehabilitation, and surgical treatments.

Woman with hands holding her crotch

Bladder Instillations

This can reduce the bladder pain and inflammation inside the bladder that can cause urgency/frequency symptoms and incontinence.

Urethral Suppositories

Used for the treatment of inflammation of the urethra. Urinary incontinence treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause, severity, and type of incontinence. Often there are many options available. Many non-invasive techniques exist as do surgical options.

Behavioral Techniques

Behavioral techniques are lifestyle changes that can sometimes work well for people that suffer from certain types of urinary incontinence. The most common include:

  • Bladder retraining (bladder drill / timed voids)
  • Diet modifications (avoiding bladder irritants)
  • Fluid management (modifying quantity and timing of fluid intake)

Medication

Typically, medications are used along with behavioral techniques. Some drugs that are most commonly used for the treatment of urinary incontinence include:

  • Vesicare (Solifenacin Succinate)
  • Enablex (Darifenacin)
  • Sanctura (Trospium Chloride)
  • Toviaz (Fesoterodine)
  • Detrol (Tolterodine Tartrate)
  • Oxybutynin
  • Imipramine

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Pelvic rehabilitation may be used as a treatment for urinary incontinence in a combination of techniques that can help improve the coordination and strength of the pelvic floor, which are crucial for bladder control (continence):

  • Biofeedback
  • Kegel exercises
  • Pelvic floor muscle stimulation
  • Physical therapy

Medical Devices

In some cases, the use of medical devices can be used as incontinence treatment. A pessary, a device typically used for prolapse, can also be used to help treat incontinence. An additional treatment for severe incontinence may include the use of a catheter.

Outpatient Surgeries and Treatments

Newer techniques have revolutionized the treatment of urinary incontinence. Surgical interventions are typically outpatient procedures, which include:

  • Midurethral sling (Align R Sling, TVT)
  • InterStim Neurostimulator
  • Intravesical botulinum toxin (Botox)
  • Periurethral bulking agents (Macroplastique, Coaptite)

Dr. Gandhi of Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology is here to help patients with their bladder control concerns.
Sanjay Gandhi, M.D.

Sanjay Gandhi, M.D.
Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology

Conditions affecting the female pelvis are the focus at Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology. We provide effective solutions for these problems from our offices at Park City, Woodstock, and Lake Forest in Illinois.

Our team is headed by Sanjay Gandhi, MD, Urogynecologist. Dr. Gandhi’s specialized education included a residency in gynecology and obstetrics at Northwestern University and a three-year urogynecology fellowship. He is among a few in the country to pass the first examination in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) of The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He also teaches healthcare students.