More options than Depends: Dealing with urinary incontinence

When you start to notice urine leakage, you may think the only way to cope is wearing undergarments or pads designed for preventing messes. Our San Antonio OBGYNs want you to know that there are other nonsurgical solutions for dealing with urinary incontinence.

Lifestyle changes can help decrease your symptoms

Did you know that changes in your diet, behavior and lifestyle choices can reduce your incontinence issues? Here are some things you can try.

If you are overweight or obese, eat a healthy diet and exercise to get to a healthy weight. Even a 5% to 10% weight loss can help.
Stop smoking.
Change the things that you eat and drink that irritate your bladder. This includes caffeinated drinks; alcohol; spicy foods; citrus foods and drinks; and acidic foods, such as tomatoes or tomato sauce.
If you suffer from constipation, treat it. Straining can lead to urine leakage.

Talk to our San Antonio OBGYNs about keeping a bladder diary to record what time you go to the bathroom each day. Once you have that information, you can start bladder training, adding about 15 minutes between trips to the bathroom. You gradually increase the amount of time between bathroom visits to train your bladder to wait longer before it signals your brain to go to the bathroom.

Devices help prevent urine leakage

Another way of dealing with urinary incontinence is to insert a device into the vagina. There are two different types of devices.

A pessary helps support your vaginal walls and lifts the urethra and bladder. Our physicians can fit you with the easy-to-use device. You simply insert it into your vagina and remove it yourself.
You can also opt for a tampon-like device that you buy in multi-packs. Worn like a tampon, the device helps stop urine leakage by lifting and supporting the urethra.

Medications can help when you are dealing with urinary incontinence

Medication is another way of dealing with urinary incontinence. There are several options.

Estrogen inserts for the vagina
Mirabegron, a medication that not only relaxes your bladder muscle, but also helps your bladder store more urine before needing to empty
Pills, skin patches and gels that can help control bladder contractions and muscle spasms

Our San Antonio OBGYNs offer a range of different treatment options

Whether it’s lifestyle modifications, noninvasive methods or surgical procedures to repair your pelvic floor, our physicians can help you when you are dealing with urinary incontinence. Contact us today for an appointment.

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