Urinary incontinence is accidental leakage of urine. It usually occurs as a result of damage to the pelvic floor during childbirth or weakening of the vaginal tissues around the time of the menopause. Urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting approximately 1 in 3 women. Research has shown that on average, women wait 6.5 years after developing urinary incontinence before seeing a doctor. Only 10-20% of women come forward for treatment which suggests many women 'suffer in silence'. Women may be too embarrassed to talk about their bladder problem or may not be aware of available treatments.
There are a number of different causes of urinary incontinence.
Do you leak urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or exercising? If the answer is -yes- it is likely that you are experiencing stress incontinence. This is the most common type of incontinence (50%) and is more common if you have had children.
Do you feel a strong urge to pass urine and accidentally leak if you don't make it to the toilet in time? If the answer is - yes- then it is likely that you are experiencing urge incontinence. Many women have a mixture of stress and urge incontinence which is known as mixed urinary incontinence. Some women leak urine because they have no sensation that their bladder is over-full (overflow incontinence).
Some women are not overly bothered by stress incontinence whereas, for other women, it can have a huge impact on their quality of life, negatively affecting on their social life, work life and intimate relationships.
The first step to successful treatment is making an accurate diagnosis. As a subspecialists urogynaecologist I have extensive experience in assessing women with urinary incontinence and am qualified to offer a comprehensive range of treatment options. I will work with you, explaining all available treatment options for your condition, fully involving you in decisions about your care.
Pelvic floor exercises and intravaginal devices can be effective non-surgical options for some women.
The Pelvipower chair® is a new treatment which uses magnetic field energy to contract the pelvic floor. It is completely non-invasive as you sit fully clothed on the treatment chair. This type of treatment is particularly helpful for women who have difficulty contracting their pelvic floor muscles.
Viveve can treat stress incontinence as well as tighten the vagina to improve sexual function. This treatment involves inserting a probe into the vagina to deliver radiofrequency heat which stimulates new collagen formation. If you would like to learn more about this treatment click here, make an online enquiry page on my contact page or alternatively, book a complimentary consultation with me at the Cosmetech clinic, Holywood.
(see information section for patient leaflets)
Urethral bulking injection
Colposuspension
Natural tissue fascial sling
Tablets
Botulinum toxin (Botox®) bladder injections
