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The Treatments for Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence, also known as urinary incontinence, is a loss of bladder control. The loss can range from a small leakage of urine when sneezing or coughing, to a sudden intense need to get to a bathroom. There are a number of treatments that can help control this condition.

  1. Bladder Retraining

    • Bladder retraining involves learning to control the urge to urinate. It begins with holding off for 10 minutes when you feel the urge to go. You keep repeating this cycle until you feel comfortable moving the time up to 15 minutes then 20 minutes. The goal is to lengthen the amount of time between trips to the bathroom to two to four hours apart. In double voiding you wait about 10 seconds after urinating and then void again. This helps in emptying the bladder completely to avoid overflow incontinence.

    Kegel Exercises

    • In kegels, also known as pelvic floor exercises, you squeeze your pelvic muscles as if your were trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold for a count of three, relax, then hold again. Do this 10 times, three times a day. This exercise strengthens pelvic muscles surrounding and supporting the bladder.

    Diet

    • Fluid intake is important in controlling urge incontinence. According to the National Institutes of Health, limit your fluid intake to 8 oz. when you drink and stop drinking two hours before bedtime. Spread your fluid intake out over the course of the day and limit caffeine and carbonated drinks as they can stimulate the bladder.

    Medications

    • When infection is causing the urge to urinate, antibiotics will be prescribed. In other cases, medications to relax the bladder from involuntary contractions may be recommended. Detrol and Vesicare are two medications used to calm overactive bladders and may help with urge incontinence. Common side effects of these drugs are dry mouth and constipation.

      A low dose estrogen cream applied to the urethra and vaginal walls help to thicken and strengthen tissues and may help symptoms. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs, such as Tofranil, may be prescribed as they seem to paralyze the bladder muscles keeping them from involuntarily contracting.

    Surgery

    • When conservative measures are not working, your doctor may suggest surgery to help with urge incontinence. A sling procedure involves using your own tissue or synthetic material in forming a sling or mesh to cradle the bladder neck and urethra. This helps in keeping the urethra closed, eliminating urine leakage when coughing or sneezing. Augmentation cystoplasty involves removing a section of bowel and attaching it to the bladder. This procedure increases bladder size allowing the bladder to store more urine.

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