The Bladder Matters
Leaking urine is not normal. Seriously. It is not a “normal female problem.” And you don’t have to put up with it. It can and should be fixed. Female urinary incontinence affects millions of women and traditionally has either been very difficult to treat or the treatments had undesirable side effects. Recent advances in surgical procedures and medications have offered women extremely attractive options for treatment of this bothersome condition. … read more.
Advances in Bladder Control – Sacral Nerve Stimulation
You’re not alone if you’re frustrated by bladder control problems. Millions of people experience bladder issues at some time. Bladder control problems prevent you from controlling when and how much you urinate. You may experience unexpected small or large leaks, use the bathroom very frequently, or you may have the feeling of not being able to completely empty your bladder, or even a combination of these. … read more.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
This chronic, painful, inflammatory bladder disorder can be difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are similar to many other conditions, such as urinary tract infections, endometriosis and even some gastrointestinal conditions. … read more.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Painful and frequent urination are often symptoms of a bacterial infection to the urinary tract. Sometimes there is visible blood in the urine, which can be frightening if you’ve never had a UTI. Your doctor can complete a simple dipstick urinalysis to detect the bacteria. He will prescribe antibiotics and a painkiller to help until the antibiotics kick in.
If you cannot get to our office right away, drinking several glasses of pure cranberry juice may help ease the pain. Also, making a habit of drinking lots and lots of water will help you continuously remove bacteria through frequent urination.
Often called honeymoon cystitis, UTIs often occur after sexual intercourse. If you are prone to UTIs, we recommend that you urinate immediately after intercourse to flush out any bacteria.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
If you have noticed the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity such as coughing, laughing or lifting, you may have Stress Urinary Incontinence. It is very common in women who have given birth, had previous pelvic surgery or who are experiencing hormonal changes. These can result in a weakening of the muscles that support the urethra (the small tube that carries urine out of the body) and the bladder neck (the opening that connects the urethra to the bladder).
Fayetteville Woman’s Care offers a surgical minimally invasive treatment, called a Mid-urethral Sling System, for Stress Urinary Incontinence. The treatment is designed to provide a ribbon of support under the urethra to prevent it from dropping during physical activity. The dropping of your urethra out of the correct anatomical position may be what causes your incontinence. Providing support that mimics the normal anatomy should prevent urine from leaking or reduce the amount of leakage.
We have had great success with the sling procedure, but it is not for everyone. Be sure to speak with your doctor about your stress urinary incontinence concerns.
