A common condition that Dr. Gandhi sees in his practice is that of stress urinary incontinence. This urogynecological condition causes a patient to leak urine when there is contraction caused by activities such as exercise, coughing, laughing, or sneezing. This is due to a lack of control by the pelvic muscles that support the urethra and bladder, and can be caused due to childbirth, medications, surgery, or injury to the area.
Stress urinary incontinence, also known as SUI, is the most common form of incontinence in women. Those with pelvic organ prolapse, or who have had one or more vaginal childbirth deliveries, are at a higher risk for this condition. Dr. Gandhi can properly diagnose the condition and provide a variety of effective solutions to reduce or eliminate the problem.
Stress Incontinence
There are non-surgical and surgical treatments available for those with stress incontinence. The best treatment for stress urinary incontinence is based on several factors, such as the severity of your incontinence and your general state of health. Your doctor is here to help determine which treatment option is the best for you.
What is Stress Incontinence? Explained by Dr. Sanjay Gandhi from Partners in Pelvic Health
Is it normal to leak urine?
Partners in Pelvic Health encourage women to understand that leaking is not normal. Many women have been told by doctors or loved ones that it’s normal to leak urine, but it is not.
Who is most affected by Stress Incontinence?
Stress incontinence directly affects women of all ages, and it significantly impacts their activities. Stress incontinence can prevent them from playing sports, exercising, playing with their kids, etc.
What are the treatments available at Partners in Pelvic Health for stress incontinence?
There are great treatments available to rehabilitate the pelvic floor muscles. Most of these treatments have over 90% success rate in stopping leaking. Treatments can involve other lifestyle changes in terms of the work done daily as well.
Partners in Pelvic Health occasionally do even surgical procedures that are safe and have a quick recovery.
Who is an ideal candidate for stress incontinence procedures?
Anybody active is a great candidate to come in for an evaluation and treatment. Partners in Pelvic Health has created a safe environment for women to come in and get evaluated.
Coming in for an evaluation doesn’t mean that you’re having surgery. We treat over 75% of our women non-surgical.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Behavioral Therapy
- Medications – Stress incontinence is not effectively treated with medication, but it can be an option for other types of incontinence.
Surgical Treatments
- Bulking Agents – A bulking agent, such as Macroplastique, can be injected into the urethral tissues to close the urethra just enough to minimize accidental leakage with straining. This is a great option for those who are not good candidates for surgery.
- Urethral Sling – A thin strip of material that is placed under the urethra to help support its natural functioning and prevent leakage of urine. The sling simulates a hammock to provide extra support.
Dr. Gandhi of Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology can examine, diagnose, and treat many conditions including stress urinary incontinence in women of all ages. If you are experiencing unwanted bladder leakage and are ready to find a proper solution, contact his office today to schedule an initial consultation appointment. You can learn more about incontinence conditions and the proper ways to address them to improve your quality of life.