What is Incontinence?

When You're Continent

Continence means you have control over your bladder. You can hold urine in or let it out when you choose. Even if your brain gets a message that your bladder is getting full you can consciously tell your system to wait to expel the urine until it is convenient.

When You're Incontinent

Incontinence means a loss of bladder control. It occurs when any part of the urinary system fails to function. Both men and women may develop overactive bladder, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, or mixed incontinence. Women are more likely to develop bladder control problems than men because their internal organ structure is different to allow for childbirth, and decreased levels of the female hormone estrogen can weaken pelvic floor muscles, allowing organs such as the bladder, urethra, and uterus to shift out of place (prolapse). Men have fewer bladder control problems because of the shape of the male urinary tract and longer urethra offer more support.

Urinary incontinence is the inability to stop urine leakage. Loss of bladder control can be so embarrassing that it interferes with living a normal life. But there are several ways to control it.

Treatment options for incontinence can include medication, life style and diet changes, exercises, electrical stimulation, and surgery. The Urogynecology Center of Bloomington, Indiana will work with you to help decide what treatments would work best for your individual needs.

Loss of bladder control is a common problem shared by millions of Americans. Incontinence can rob you of sleep and leave you exhausted. It can make travel awkward and keep you from enjoying physical activity. Despite these frustrations, fewer than half of the people with incontinence seek help. Many people feel too embarrassed and others don't realize that help is available.

The good news is that loss of bladder control is treatable. The successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis, after which you and the expert, women's healthcare providers of the Urogynecology Center of Bloomington, Indiana can discuss your treatment options. These options may include medications, exercises and other therapy to help strengthen muscles, procedures to help stop leakage, or surgery. Incontinence can be controlled and in many cases, even cured.