Urinary incontinence is among the most common chronic medical conditions, affecting over 25 million Americans. To meet the growing needs of people struggling with this health issue, pharmaceutical companies and medical organizations are innovating better medication and treatment options. Your healthcare provider will determine your treatment plan based on your cause and type of incontinence. After assessing your unique needs, your doctor might recommend the following treatments, therapies, and medications: Alternative Treatment Options Here are several common and effective urinary incontinence treatment ideas to try:
- Artificial Urinary Sphincter: An artificial urinary sphincter involves the implementation of a fluid-filled ring around your bladder neck to ensure the sphincter remains shut. Thus, when you need to urinate, you can press the valve present under your skin to release urine from your bladder.
- Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox): When you hear “Botox,” most people imagine a cosmetic treatment. But this is also an effective method of relaxing muscles. Your medical provider will inject Botox into your bladder to alleviate overactive bladder incontinence. The injections help temporarily relax your muscles to manage the ‘urge.
- Burch Colposuspension: Burch colposuspension is an effective treatment for people with Stress Urinary Incontinence. With the help of surgery, your healthcare provider will reposition your muscles to minimize abdominal pressure. The doctor performs open or laparoscopic surgery to treat SUI during the procedure.
- Clean Intermittent Catheterization: Most people with permanent urinary incontinence experience difficulty storing and urinating. An effective way of regaining control and improving your confidence is by trying clean intermittent catheterization. Using catheters allows you to release urine safely and effectively. The bonus of choosing this treatment option is that catheters are discrete and compact, which means you can carry them everywhere! Your doctor recommends catheterization if your bladder doesn’t empty properly or you feel the urge to urinate frequently. Therefore, you can insert a soft tube- the catheter- to urinate without experiencing discomfort or stressing about accidents.
- Indwelling Catheterization: In some cases, doctors recommend people with urinary incontinence use indwelling catheterization. The benefit of this catheter is you can leave it in the bladder for longer times. In that way, you can save yourself from the trouble of changing catheters.
- Alpha Blockers: Alpha blockers are ideal for men with overflow or overactive incontinence. The medication helps relax your neck muscles and fibers in the prostate, thus making it easier to urinate.
- Anticholinergics: Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that triggers bladder contractions. These prescription drugs include oxybutynin and trospium chloride, which alleviate bladder movements to remove the frequent urge to urinate when the bladder isn’t full. Typically, it takes twelve weeks to experience this medicine. Mirabegron helps you empty your bladder effectively and avoid leaking.
- Mirabegron: Mirabegron, known as Myrbetriq, is another medication used to relax the bladder muscles and minimize pain. The drug increases your bladder’s ability to store urine and increases the amount while urinating.
- Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation: Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) creates an adjustable electrical impulse to regulate bladder and pelvic floor function. PTNS helps reduce the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination through minimally invasive surgery.
- Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Otherwise referred to as Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM), these devices promote effective communication between the bladder and bowel to prevent incontinence. As a result, SNS facilitates the safe storage and release of urine and feces. Typically, your healthcare provider implants a small device through a minimally invasive procedure.
- Sling Surgery: During sling surgery, your healthcare provider creates synthetic material or strips of tissues to add a pelvic sling. The doctor then slides the sling underneath your urethra, where the bladder connects to the urethra, to ensure it stays closed. Therefore, sling surgery is the perfect treatment for people with stress incontinence.
- Topical Estrogen: Lastly, topical estrogen facilitates the rejuvenation of urethral and vaginal tissues. You can find estrogen in a cream, ring, or patch to strengthen supportive tissues.
- Urethral Bulking Agents: Urethral bulking agents help treat urinary incontinence in women by encouraging the urethra walls to move closer to the sphincter. Your healthcare provider will help you regain control over your urine flow by implanting these injections.
- Vaginal Mesh Surgery: Like sling surgery, vaginal mesh surgery involves the creation of a synthetic net-like substance to control the symptoms of SUI.
