Urge Incontinence Treatment in NYC

Sometimes known as an overactive bladder, urge incontinence has the potential to completely disrupt a person’s life. The frequent need to urinate, sometimes at inopportune moments, can lead to a loss of confidence, sleep and even intimacy with a partner. An overactive bladder becomes categorized as urge incontinence when this issue causes a person to involuntarily leak urine.

If you are experiencing symptoms of urge incontinence or have been recently diagnosed, contact Dr. Robert Valenzuela to discuss your symptoms and the treatment options 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. Dr. Valenzuela will help you determine the type of incontinence you’re experiencing and review all treatment options available.

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What Causes Urge Incontinence?

A few different types of medical conditions that may be causing urge incontinence to occur include:

• A bladder infection
• Pregnancy or childbirth
• An enlarged prostate
• Menopause
• Prostate cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Neurological disorders
• Bladder or kidney stones
• An obstruction near the opening of the bladder

How is Urge Incontinence Tested?

Your doctor can perform a variety of tests to determine which will help them get a better idea of what may be causing symptoms. The most common tests that are performed include:

• Urine Volume Test. After urinating, the doctor will measure the amount of urine that is left inside of the bladder. This will help determine if leftover urine is causing symptoms that are nearly identical to an overactive bladder.
• Urine Flow Measurement. The doctor will measure the volume of urine and the speed at which the urine is leaving the urethra. This test will help them identify any possible issues caused by blockages or abnormalities.
• Bladder Pressure Test. The doctor will slowly fill the bladder with warm water. A pressure sensor will be used to measure changes in the patient’s bladder pressure. This will help identify any involuntary muscle contractions or a bladder that is not able to store urine at low pressure.

How is Urge Incontinence Treated?

Typically, if an individual’s urge incontinence is minor and manageable during their day-to-day life, there is no real reason to seek further treatment. However, if you are finding it difficult to perform everyday activities due to your urge incontinence, then it may be time to consult with a urology specialist.

Your doctor is likely to first try different exercises and dietary changes in order to avoid a more invasive treatment method, but if these prove to be ineffective in relieving your urge incontinence symptoms then decisions regarding more serious options may have to be made. Common medical treatments for urge incontinence include:

• Collagen implants
• Nerve stimulators
• An at-home catheter

There are several different types of urinary incontinence. Urge incontinence is unique as it is a sudden and intense need to urinate that is soon followed by an unwanted contraction of the bladder, which causes an involuntary loss of urine.

Urge incontinence is also referred to as:

• Bladder spasms
• Overactive bladder
• Spasmodic bladder
• Detrusor instability
• Irritable bladder

It is important to remember that urge incontinence is not a disease, but is actually a symptom of another medical condition, physical issues, or lifestyle habits. The occasional, minor leaks of urine caused by urge incontinence are more likely to occur in women and older adults.