Park City doctor describes the common and direct causes of urinary stress incontinence

While women with urinary incontinence are often embarrassed about their condition, it is essential that they speak up with their medical provider. Why? Because urinary stress incontinence can be treated with the team of professionals at Partners in Pelvic Health in Park City, IL. Women struggling with bladder leakage can get a proper diagnosis with Dr. Sanjay Gandhi and his team to discuss effective treatment options. Our staff works hard to find the direct cause of the condition and speak about common treatments used to reduce or eliminate the problem.

What is urinary stress incontinence?

Urinary stress incontinence, sometimes referred to as SUI, is a condition that impacts millions of American women. SUI is a type of urine loss that is related to some sort of physical activity or movement. Urinary stress incontinence can be caused by stress on the bladder that can result in leakage when:

• Running
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Heavy lifting
• Bending over
• Laughing
• Jumping

When stress incontinence occurs, many women feel embarrassed by their condition. However, it is a common occurrence and can be addressed, especially after the doctor finds the direct cause.

What are the common causes of urinary stress incontinence?

SUI is a condition that can occur when the pelvic floor muscles in the pelvic area are weakened. When the bladder is filled with urine and the surrounding muscles are weak, certain activities can put pressure on the bladder and cause the leakage of urine. This leakage may be mild to severe and can be embarrassing.

What causes the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles?

 Some of the reasons why the pelvic floor muscles might be weak are due to:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle

Determining the severity and the cause is the first step in deciding the best treatment for an individual.

What treatment options are available for urinary stress incontinence?

Once Dr. Sanjay Gandhi of Partners in Pelvic Health has evaluated a patient and determined the cause and severity of their condition, he can then make recommendations regarding the best possible treatment for an individual woman. Treatment options vary depending on the diagnosis and may include some of the following solutions:

• Behavioral therapies – many women will find success in reducing their urinary stress incontinence with certain behavioral therapies. This includes making healthy lifestyle changes, training the bladder, reducing fluid consumption, and performing in routine pelvic floor muscle exercises called Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
• Medications – while there are no medications that are specifically used for treating stress incontinence for patients in the United States, European continents have found that certain medications such as Cymbalta (an antidepressant formulated with duloxetine) can provide improvements. However, the medication has to be used continuously, otherwise the problem will return.
• Pelvic floor devices – specific devices may be used to help women control their urinary stress incontinence, including vaginal pessaries. These devices are placed into the pelvic area to either support the pelvic muscles or to act as a barrier to prevent urinary leakage.
• Procedures/Surgery – in severe cases or situations that do not respond well to the above therapies, surgery may be the best option. Surgical options include the midurethral sling procedure (which is safe even with all of the controversy around mesh procedures in the vagina) or injectable bulking agents.

Are you concerned about urinary stress incontinence?

Don’t hide or feel embarrassed about your condition! Seek a solution with the help of Dr. Sanjay Gandhi and his team at Partners in Pelvic Health. With four convenient locations throughout the Chicago area, women can learn more about their condition and discuss possible treatment options with our team. Call (844) 327-1188 and visit with our team today.