Urinary Incontinence–Frequently Asked Questions

The more you know about urinary incontinence, the easier it is to discuss with your friends, your family, and most importantly, your doctor. Read through this series of questions to gain a deeper understanding of your condition. To learn more, take the urinary incontinence quiz or read up on some important questions for your doctor. When you realize that you’re not alone and that you don’t have to live with this, you’ll have the confidence to take the next step.

	Questions about urinary incontinence and symptoms Questions about treatments/surgery Questions about surgical side effects

Questions about urinary incontinence and its symptoms

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• Is it just me — or is urinary incontinence a common condition?

• No, it’s not just you. Urinary incontinence is a very common condition. In fact, 1 out of every 3 women are affected by one or more types of urinary incontinence. Despite its prevalence however, many women remain silent—too embarrassed to discuss their condition, even with their doctor. In the United States alone, 13 million women suffer from stress urinary incontinence (a type of urinary incontinence), yet only 16% seek treatment. The low treatment rates are common because women often feel shame and embarrassment about their symptoms, lack information about available treatment options, or mistakenly believe that incontinence is an inevitable part of aging and childbirth. Note: Although urinary incontinence is 2-4 times more common in women than in men, it’s a highly prevalent condition among all adults. If you are looking for urinary incontinence information for men, click here.

  
  

• How serious is urinary incontinence?

• The wetness and odor associated with urinary incontinence could dramatically impact your quality of life. In fact, studies show incontinence is linked to depression, anxiety, and stigmatization as a result of the potentially embarrassing symptoms. In severe cases, some women will avoid sexual intimacy, restrict their daily activities (especially when there are a lack of restrooms nearby), wear dark clothing, and resort to managing their symptoms with pads and liners. In addition to the negative impact on a woman’s well being, urinary incontinence is also associated with a considerable financial cost that is related to the lifetime expense of pads and liners, as well as other medical related expenses.

  
  

• Isn’t urinary incontinence just a natural part of aging or childbirth?

• Yes, the stresses that pregnancy and childbirth can have on your body may weaken or damage your pelvic floor muscles. Likewise, you may lose muscle strength and tone as you age. But that does not mean you have to resign yourself to a life spent coping with the symptoms of urinary incontinence. There are a number of treatment options that can help you regain your bladder control and live a fuller, richer life.

  
  

• When should I seriously think about treating my incontinence surgically?

• Have you tried managing your symptoms or changing your behaviors without success? If urinary incontinence has become a part of your decision making process, impacting the places you visit and the experiences you share, it may be time to consider a surgical procedure. Talk to your doctor about your options.

  
  

• If I don’t get treated for urinary incontinence, will it get worse over time?

• Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Some women may experience infrequent leaks that don’t worsen over time. Some may notice symptoms after childbirth or surgery that improve as their muscle tone improves. Still others will experience urinary incontinence symptoms that progress to a point where they simply can’t manage their condition through behavior modification or incontinence products alone. It’s important to know that, whether you’re just beginning to experience urinary incontinence or you’ve been coping with it for some time, recording your symptoms can really help you and your doctor accurately monitor your condition. Take note of when you experience symptoms and how severe they are, as well as the special circumstances surrounding each episode. Click here for an easy-to-use symptom diary.

  
  

Questions about treatments/surgery for urinary incontinence

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• I’m not ready for surgery. What are my other options?

• Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to minimize or eliminate your urinary incontinence symptoms by making simple changes to your lifestyle. By simply planning frequent visits to the restroom, limiting your fluid intake at night, and performing Kegel exercises every day, you may begin to see some improvement. Some women also find relief by using a device called a pessary. It’s a silicone ring that, when placed inside the vagina, provides additional support to the pelvic floor muscles.

  
  

• Can I treat incontinence with medications?

• If you suffer from urge incontinence (also known as overactive bladder), you may be able to treat your symptoms successfully with daily prescriptions, like DetrolLA®. Unfortunately, there are no medications currently available to treat stress urinary incontinence.

  
  

• If medications won’t work, then what do I do?

• If you’ve treated urge incontinence with medications, but still experience symptoms, you may suffer from mixed urinary incontinence, a combination of both stress and urge. Make an appointment with a specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and to discuss your options.

  
  

• What surgical option is right for me?

• This is a decision that should only be made between you and your doctor. Some important considerations include: The severity of your symptoms Your current state of health You should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before making a decision about any surgery.

  
  

• My mother had urinary incontinence surgery a few years ago—and she had to spend time in the hospital. Is this what I can expect?

• Surgical options, such as the Burch procedure, are considered a more invasive surgery and may involve a hospital stay and longer recovery time. Fortunately, medical advances are providing women with effective, long-term options that also minimize pain and recovery. In most cases, women who undergo a minimally invasive sling procedure can go home hours after their surgery, and return to non-strenuous activities within a short time.

  
  

• What if I plan to have children in the future? What are my treatment options?

• If you are pregnant, you are not a candidate for a sling procedure. If you expect to be so, a sling procedure may also not be right for you. The stresses placed on your pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy could very well undo the benefits of your procedure. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor and inform her/him of any future plans to have children.

  
  

• If I treat my urinary incontinence surgically, will it be painful?

• Some surgical procedures for urinary incontinence are more invasive than others. As a result, recovery from these procedures is generally longer and the associated pain and discomfort is often greater. With newer minimally invasive surgical sling procedures, incisions are smaller and women can expect much less discomfort, as well as a shorter recovery period. As with most surgical procedures, inflammation and irritation can occur. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor. They can prescribe medications to manage your discomfort.

  
  

• I’m considering a sling procedure, but I’m concerned about the surgical mesh. Will I be able to feel it inside my body? Could it ever fall out?

• Since 1965, mesh has been used extensively in surgery and implanted in millions of patients. The soft and porous material allows your body’s tissues to grow into the mesh, anchoring it safely inside your body and providing greater support. Because the mesh is also light, soft, and flexible, you won’t feel it after your procedure. While there is a low rate of occurrence, erosion of the mesh could occur. Be sure to ask your doctor which surgical mesh she/he plans to use in your procedure, as well as the specific success and complication rates associated with that mesh.

  
  

• I think I might have stress urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse. If my doctor makes that diagnosis, can I have both treated at one time?

• In many cases, the answer is yes. In fact, studies indicate that more than 40% of women undergoing surgical repair for stress urinary incontinence undergo prolapse repair at the same time.

  
  

• How much does urinary incontinence surgery cost?

• This is a question that only your doctor can answer. In general, costs will vary depending on the procedure you choose, with many of the newer minimally invasive procedures costing less than the more complicated and invasive procedures. This is typically due to the longer recovery periods and hospital stays often associated with more invasive surgeries. You should also know that sling procedures are covered by Medicare, as well as by many private insurance carriers. For more details, click here.

  
  

Questions about surgical side effects

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• How long is the typical recovery period for minimally invasive urinary incontinence surgery? Will I be in the hospital?

• In most cases, urethral sling procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. You can return home within hours of your procedure, and return to normal, non-strenuous activities within a short time. However, you should avoid sexual intercourse, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise for six to eight weeks following your procedure to allow your body to heal. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

  
  

• What are some complications of minimally invasive surgery?

• Urethral sling procedures require surgery and are therefore not recommended for everyone. Before you consent to a procedure, you should be fully aware of the risks. They include: Inflammation and irritation Urinary tract infections, urge symptoms, and difficulty with urination In rare cases, infection, erosion, and vessel or urethra perforation may occur

  
  

• Could my urinary incontinence symptoms return? Will I have to have surgery again?

• In some cases, women may need to repeat the surgery. For example, future pregnancies can cause you to become incontinent again. You should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.