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Causes and Types of Urinary Incontinence

While urinary incontinence is the primary activity of bladder leaks, there are many different potential causes. It is a myth that everyone faces urinary incontinence similarly. Causes include aging, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, neurological disorders, and more.

With many different types of urinary incontinence, including the most common, stress and urge incontinence, there are also different types of treatment available. Some of these are surgical, and others are not; all will be treated based on the diagnosis and cause determined by your doctor.

5 Myths About Urinary Incontinence that Affect Treatment

There are many different myths regarding the causes of incontinence and how it affects everyone. One of the most significant problems with some of these myths is their ability to influence your choice of incontinence treatment. 

  1. Incontinence is the same for everyone. Incontinence affects everyone differently, ranging from temporary leaks to chronic issues. With various types of incontinence, the two most common are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
  2. Incontinence is a normal part of the aging process. While incontinence is a common problem that becomes more of a risk with increased age, it isn’t necessarily inevitable. However, it can happen for any number of reasons throughout the years. Believing that it is an unavoidable part of the aging process can lead to the belief that there is no potential treatment to relieve the issue and connect to the other myth that the only way to manage incontinence is with an absorbent product.
  3. Incontinence is not a health problem. This covers many myths, including the idea that urinary accidents occur on purpose or back to the notion that it is only a normal part of aging.
  4. There is only one possible treatment for incontinence. Some myths state that the only potential treatment for urinary incontinence is medication, while others say it is only treated by surgery. Therefore, it is not reasonable to believe that one of those treatments alone is the only possibility. 
  5. Incontinence only occurs due to a small bladder or drinking too much. This is actually the opposite of the truth. The fact is that most people don’t have a bladder that is smaller than average, but it actually may be more about the ability of the muscle to hold a larger than average amount of fluid. Additionally, limiting the amount of liquid you drink throughout the day makes your urine too strong and can irritate your bladder. Therefore, this can worsen the problem. 
  6. Absorbent pads are the only nonsurgical solution for urinary incontinence.  Depending on the cause and diagnosis, there are various medical and surgical ways to treat urinary incontinence.

Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis and Treatments

It is essential to know that a precise diagnosis of the type of urinary incontinence affecting any one individual is helpful in the choice of the most effective treatment. Because anyone may face urinary incontinence due to many causes, it is vital to listen to your doctor, the diagnosis, and the recommended treatment. 

Today there are more treatment options for urinary incontinence than ever before. There is no reason to feel that only one treatment option exists for urinary incontinence or that you are under some sort of limit. With so many different options available for incontinence treatment at this point, you can come to doctors treating incontinence for various treatments like Anti-Incontinence Surgery, Botox Injections, MonaLisa Touch, and Viveve—all that provide quality results as needed.

How Myths Affect Urinary Incontinence Treatment

One of the most important things about the myths regarding urinary incontinence is the likely potential and risk of preventing you from seeking care. For example, with the belief in various myths like incontinence being an inevitable part of aging or that it’s not a health problem, you may avoid visiting your doctor for a correct diagnosis and appropriate and guided treatment. Today, many possible treatments for urinary incontinence exist. 

Other myths common to urinary incontinence include that there’s only one type of treatment for relieving incontinence or that the only remedy is an absorbent product. These myths may misguide you in seeking care and alleviating your condition. There are even nonsurgical treatments like Botox that may work for you. 

Avoid Incontinence Myths to Choose Quality Treatment

With all of this in mind, it is crucial to avoid the many myths that follow urinary incontinence to work with your gynecologist for a quality diagnosis and determination of the best treatment possible. Because there are more options than one, it is essential to seek the care of an expert in caring for those with this condition.  

Choosing Your Urogynecologist for Incontinence Treatment

You may not have heard very often, but there is a combined specialty of urology and gynecology. In this specialty, your doctors can provide a broad array of treatment options for various issues related to the pelvic floor. This is helpful, as multiple issues involved in both your gynecological and urological needs together could lead to urinary incontinence. With issues like childbirth and damage to your pelvic floor, this multi-practice specialist is more likely able to help with your incontinence needs.