Surgical Procedures for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing condition for most people. People experience different types of incontinence for a variety of reasons. Stress incontinence allows a small amount of urine to leak when you cough or sneeze. This condition is common in women who may have weakened muscles due to childbirth and pregnancy. An overactive bladder or a weakened sphincter muscle may also cause the condition.

Diagnosis

• Before surgery is even discussed as an option for incontinence, it is important to find the cause of the problem. Discuss the conditions that are present when you experience incontinence. Not all causes of urinary incontinence will require surgery.
  Keep track of your incontinence episodes before you visit the doctor so that you can provide the information that she needs to make a proper diagnosis.

  Your doctor may order blood tests or a urinalysis to rule out infection as the cause of your urinary incontinence. The results will give her the information that is needed to proceed with treatment. A urinary tract or bladder infection does not require surgery but does need to be immediately treated to avoid complications.

The Correct Procedure

• Once the reason for your incontinence is determined through tests and examination, the correct treatment will be selected to resolve the problem. Surgical intervention is used for cases of incontinence that are not helped by other treatment methods. Your doctor will attempt the simplest method to treat the condition before using surgery. He may prescribe lifestyle changes and physical therapy to treat your condition at first.

  When medications and physical therapy fail to solve the problem, your doctor will recommend surgery. If it is determined that a weakened urinary sphincter is responsible for your incontinence, an artificial sphincter may be surgically implanted. The surgeon places the device, which keeps the opening closed until you must urinate, around the natural sphincter. You determine when to release the urine from your bladder by using a valve implanted under the skin. The valve allows the artificial sphincter to deflate, releasing the urine to flow through the opening.

  If you are suffering from stress incontinence, the doctor may suggest a sling procedure. This procedure keeps the urethra closed when you cough or sneeze. Bladder-neck suspension surgery gives support to your urethra and neck of your bladder.

  Explore all of your options with your doctor before deciding on surgery to correct the problem. Physical therapy and bladder exercises may have a significant impact on your ability to control your bladder. Always try the least invasive procedures and methods first before considering surgery.