Our Services / Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. This loss may be a small leak after a cough or sneeze, or loss of the entire contents of your bladder.

Urinary incontinence is a common problem, especially in women. However, many people may not seek help for their loss of urine control because of embarrassment or the belief that nothing can be done. 

One thing urinary incontinence is not: It’s not a normal part of the aging process, and there are many effective treatment options.  

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

Your urinary incontinence is a symptom of an underlying condition. The cause of your incontinence determines the type.

The types of urinary incontinence include:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity, such as coughing, laughing, or lifting. Weak or damaged sphincter muscles in the bladder or urethra cause this type of urinary incontinence. 

Urgency incontinence

Urgency incontinence, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), causes an intense, uncontrollable urge to urinate. The sensation may be so strong that you might lose control of your bladder before you reach the bathroom.

Uncontrolled bladder contractions cause this type of urinary incontinence. These contractions may result from a sudden change in position or activity.

Mixed incontinence

If you have both stress and urgency incontinence, then you have mixed incontinence. 

Nighttime incontinence

Nighttime incontinence, also known as bedwetting, is the leaking of urine while you sleep. This type of incontinence is most common in children.

Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of urinary incontinence. 

How is urinary incontinence treated?

The team at Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates customizes your urinary incontinence treatment plan based on type and severity. Some of the treatments the team uses include:

• Kegel exercises
• Limiting fluid intake
• Creating a bathroom routine
• Medication to control bladder contractions
• Medication to reduce nighttime incontinence
• Bulking agents
• Botox® injections to reduce bladder contractions
• Placement of a sling device for stress incontinence
• Placement of a pessary for women with stress incontinence
• Sacral neuromodulation
• Pelvic prolapse surgery
• Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS)

For sacral nerve stimulation, Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates uses the Axonics® Therapy system. 

This system includes a miniaturized implant that your urologist places under your skin near your buttocks, and leads that send mild electrical impulses to your sacral nerve. You control the impulses with a tiny, rechargeable remote device.

Urinary incontinence is treatable. Call Northwest Arkansas Urology Associates, or schedule an appointment online today to get help.