HOW IS INCONTINENCE IN WOMEN TREATED?

SKIN LINE | MAY 2023

The condition incontinence is caused by a variety of factors and affects millions of people worldwide. It is observed more often in women, but it also occurs in quite a few men with advancing age and with existing prostate problems.

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What is incontinence?

Searching for information on what incontinence is, you will find that it refers to the uncontrolled discharge of urine. This problem – urinary incontinence – has an extremely negative impact on quality of life and also on social and professional contacts. For the occurrence of incontinence in women, the main causes can be highlighted as the anatomical features of the pelvic area, as well as the various changes brought about by pregnancy and childbirth, when stretching of the ligaments supporting the bladder occurs. Menopause is also a risk factor due to the loss of hormones playing a role in good perineal muscle tone. Other incontinence provoking causes can be: Overweight; smoking; diabetes; alcohol and caffeine abuse; neurological diseases; chronic cough, etc. Often lead to incontinence high blood pressure and heart medications, sedatives and others, as well as excessive consumption of diuretics such as carbonated drinks, dietary supplements with large amounts of vitamin C, drinks and foods with sugar and acid such as citrus fruits, etc. Temporary incontinence can also be caused by urinary infection, cystitis, constipation, urinary tract stones, etc.

What are the characteristic symptoms of incontinence?

Although the main symptom characteristic of incontinence is only one, its manifestation according to the type of incontinence has different variations.

In stress incontinence

The problem of passing urine is seen when increased pressure is exerted on the bladder after physical efforts such as laughing, coughing or sneezing and also sports.

In urge incontinence

Urges to urinate are sudden and forceful and are followed by involuntary voiding, including at night. It can be due to an infection or other mild condition, as well as more serious – for example diabetes or a neurological disorder.

In overflow incontinence

In it, the bladder is full constantly due to a physical obstruction such as the presence of a stone or tumor. It is characterized by frequent or constant leakage of urine.

In functional incontinence

Urine is leaked due to physical disability, dementia, impaired vision, difficult mobility and the like where the patient is unaware of the need to visit the toilet.

In mixed type incontinence

Usually combines the symptoms of two types of incontinence: stress and urge.

When urinary incontinence is chronic, it can lead to various complications such as dermatological problems, urinary infections and, in general, a poor quality of life.

Many people are embarrassed to visit a doctor if they suffer from involuntary urine output, but if such a condition becomes frequent, disrupts the rhythm of daily life or concerns elderly people, in whom it will increase the risk of falling due to rushing for the toilet, consulting a doctor is imperative.

How is incontinence in women treated?

For the appointment of proper treatment, with the diagnosis, the doctor will establish what kind of incontinence is according to the characteristic features of the symptoms. After examining the urine, conducting an ultrasound of the pelvis and additional examinations, treatment is undertaken according to the individual characteristics and severity of the condition.

Usually, one starts with more sparing therapies and moves on to more serious ones if the result of the former is not satisfactory.

Behavioural techniques

The set of these therapeutic measures usually includes bladder training, representing a postponement of urination with increasing interval. Scheduled voiding and management of food and drink intake may also be implemented.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises are to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles in order to increase control of urination. They are particularly effective for stress incontinence but also for urge incontinence too.

Drug therapy

The doctor’s prescriptions may be medications containing substances to calm an overactive bladder of the anticholinergic type, topical use of a dose of estrogen, and others.

Treatment with FORMA V

One of the most effective innovative ways to treat urinary incontinence is the application of non-ablative radiofrequency energy using the Forma V device. This is a revolutionary method that uses the power of radiofrequency energy to heat the tissues of the vaginal mucosa and outer lips for up to 30 minutes. Tightening and rejuvenation of the vaginal canal and external genitalia is achieved, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles which improves incontinence control.

Already after the first Forma V treatment, besides a tighter vaginal canal, a reduction in stress incontinence when urinating is noticed, with results improving with subsequent treatments. The Forma V treatment is painless, the sensor built into the applicator monitors the exact amount of energy output throughout the procedure, and built-in safety features monitor tissue temperature.

The Forma V could be the ideal treatment for urinary incontinence for all women who suffer from this problem, while it will also improve vaginal tightness.

Medical devices

One of them is the urethral insert, which prevents urine leakage and is designed for single use. Another device is the pessary, which, when inserted into the vagina, provides support for the urethra throughout the day, thus preventing urine leakage.

Interventional therapies

These can include the injection of implants into the tissue around the urethra and Botox into the muscle tissue of the bladder. Neurostimulation by implanting devices in the vagina and under the skin of the buttocks, which stimulate the sacral nerves, is also used to control an overactive bladder if there is no success with other methods.

Surgery

If unsuccessful with conservative therapies, various types of surgical procedures are undertaken. These may include placement of a sling under the urethra to maintain it in its natural position, surgical treatment of prolapse, implantation of an artificial urethral sphincter, etc.

It is desirable that measures to overcome incontinence symptoms from the outset also include dietary changes. Fresh fruits and vegetables, herbal teas and raw nuts should replace semi-finished foods, spicy condiments, fast foods, anything fatty and fried.

Exercise and daily physical activity would also aid treatment, especially in people suffering from obesity, because losing weight and improving general physical tone relieves pressure on the bladder.

With adequate treatment and any accompanying aids, control of a condition such as urinary incontinence and even complete elimination of the problem can be achieved.

 

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