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Female Stress Incontinence Treatment in NYC

Stress incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence that makes it hard for women to stop the flow of urine when pressure is placed on the bladder. This issue can cause women to feel embarrassed, limit social activity, and it may also affect a person’s romantic life.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of stress incontinence in the Manhattan area, contact Dr. Robert Valenzuela to discuss the cause of your incontinence and the treatment available. To schedule a consultation at our urology clinics in NYC, please call (212) 781-9696 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

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What Are the Symptoms of Female Stress Incontinence?

Most patients with stress incontinence tend to lose bladder control during physical activity. In some cases, however, bladder leakage can occur from pressure applied to the bladder while in a sitting or standing position. Most commonly, leakage occurs when:

  • Exercising or doing heavy lifting. This can include walking, running, jumping, etc.
  • Laughing. Laughing can cause muscles to contract and for a person’s weight to shift, which may put pressure on the bladder.
  • Sneezing. The sudden and forceful body movements caused by sneezing may cause a person with stress incontinence to leak urine.
  • Sexual Intercourse. Engaging in sexual intercourse can cause pressure against the abdomen.

What Causes Female Stress Incontinence?

Women are twice as likely to suffer from stress incontinence than men. In most cases, this is because of childbirth. During some births, muscle and tissue damage can occur to the pelvic floor.

How is Stress Incontinence Tested?

For most cases of stress incontinence, the issue is fairly easy to diagnose and may not require any tests. But, some tests may be taken to pinpoint the cause of incontinence if mixed symptoms are experienced. These tests include:

  • Urine Volume Test. After urinating, the doctor will determine the amount of leftover urine in the bladder.
  • Bladder Pressure Test. The doctor will slowly fill the bladder with warm water and use a pressure sensor to measure changes in the patient’s bladder pressure.
  • Bladder Examination. A cystoscope, a small device that can provide images to the doctor, will be inserted into the bladder so that the physician can examine the bladder.

How is Female Stress Incontinence Treated?

The first steps to treating stress urinary incontinence are often behavior therapies such as pelvic floor muscle exercises, dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and bladder training. There aren’t currently any approved medications to treat stress incontinence.

What Devices Treat Female Incontinence?

  • Pessary. A pessary is a flexible device that supports the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum through its placement in the vagina.
  • Urethral Inserts. A disposable device is worn at various times throughout the day to act as a barrier against leakage. It is mostly recommended for what a patient is going to be performing physical activity.
  • Altis Single Incision Sling | watch video

Surgery intervention to treat stress incontinence is typically the last resort when behavior therapies and devices don’t provide adequate relief from symptoms. The goal of the surgery will be to provide the bladder and urethral muscles with adequate support.

Schedule a Consultation for Female Stress Incontinence Treatment in NYC

If you are living with symptoms of female stress incontinence, contact Washington Heights Urology to speak with Dr. Valenzuela about your treatment options. To schedule a consultation at our urology clinics in NYC, please call (212) 781-9696 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Request an Appointment