Stress urinary incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is one of the most common types, especially in older women, and occurs when weak pelvic floor muscles allow urine to leak out. SUI worsens with coughing, sneezing, bending, lifting, and exercising.

Overactive bladder
With an overactive bladder, also called “urgency” incontinence, you experience a sudden urge to urinate. With this condition, your brain signals your bladder to empty or the muscles in your bladder contract too frequently. This type is most common in women after menopause.

Mixed incontinence (SUI and OAB)
Some women have both an SUI and an overactive bladder concurrently.

Overflow incontinence
In overflow incontinence, you cannot empty your bladder due to blockage from a bladder stone or tumor, leading to leakage. This type is rare.

Specialized bladder tests include cystograms, cystoscopy, pelvic ultrasound, and urodynamic testing.

After these tests, your doctor can diagnose the form of incontinence and provide you with individualized treatment options.

Conservative methods include pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, prescription medications to relax overactive bladder muscles or improve the tone of your pelvic muscles, and medical devices, like pessaries.

Pessaries are rigid silicone devices inserted into your vagina to support muscles and any prolapsed pelvic organs. Your doctor teaches you how to care for your pessary, including insertion and removal instructions and cleaning protocols.

The doctors at Virtuosa GYN offer surgical intervention when required.

There’s help for your urinary incontinence symptoms. Call Virtuosa GYN or schedule online today to learn about your options.