Doctor in Chicago, IL for urinary stress incontinence discusses treatment options

Do you find that you are avoiding certain physical activities because of bladder leakage? Are you embarrassed that you leak urine every time you laugh, cough, or sneeze? Have you been worried about leaking urine in certain social situations to the point where you avoid going out? If this sounds like you, it is important that you understand you are not alone! Dr. Sanjay Gandhi of Partners in Pelvic Health in Chicago, IL is committed to ensuring women have a discreet and confidential soundboard for issues such as this. Urinary stress incontinence, or SUI, is more common than women realize, and there are treatment options available for addressing this problem available with our doctor.

What is urinary stress incontinence?

SUI is the result of stress placed on a full bladder that can cause unwanted leakage of urine. This stress may be anything from a cough or sneeze to certain physical activities. Women with SUI are often embarrassed by their condition and may find that at some point, pantyliners may no longer be protecting their clothing from these occurrences. In situations such as this, it might be time for women to seek evaluation and treatment with their doctor.

What treatment options are available for women with urinary stress incontinence?

Dr. Sanjay Gandhi and his team at Partners in Pelvic Health understand that this condition may be embarrassing for women to talk about, but with this discussion comes a line of effective treatment options. Treatment may include: 

• Changes in lifestyle or behavior – one of the most effective ways of addressing SUI in women who have mild cases is with behavioral or lifestyle changes. This includes regularly performing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and provide better support for the bladder or even reducing fluid consumption.
• Pelvic floor devices – in addition to changing certain lifestyle habits, women can also ask about the use of pelvic floor devices such as urethral inserts and vaginal pessaries. These are devices that can help in either supporting the muscles of the pelvic floor or preventing leakage of urine by providing an effective barrier. These can be inserted and removed as needed.
• Surgical intervention – when conservative treatment option fails to work, or when urinary stress incontinence is more severe, surgical interventions may be needed. This may include the insertion of a sling or the use of bulking agents. Before considering surgery, Dr. Sanjay Gandhi encourages women to try alternative options first. Surgical treatments are saved as a last effort when less invasive treatments such as those above fail to provide the results women desire.

Call Dr. Sanjay Gandhi today!

Women of the Chicagoland area ready for a proper diagnosis and treatment of their urinary stress incontinence are welcome to call (844) 327-1188 to schedule a consultation visit with Dr. Sanjay Gandhi at Partners in Pelvic Health. We are committed to providing patients with solutions that fit their needs and ensuring the end of SUI for those who have struggled with the embarrassment of such conditions. We have four convenient locations throughout the area for new and current patients.