What Factors Can Cause Urinary Incontinence?

Too much stress on the pelvic floor can lead to a loss of bladder control. As a result, some people experience urinary incontinence when they cough, sneeze, exercise, or laugh.

At The Secret Orchid in Hillsborough Township, NJ, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Carolyn DeLucia treats incontinence with compassion and skill so you can be open about your struggles and get the help you need.

Keep reading to learn more about the factors that can cause urinary incontinence and some potential solutions offered by Dr. DeLucia.

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence may feel like a sudden urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary leaking of small amounts of urine.

There are four types of urinary incontinence:

• Stress incontinence, which is typically caused by weak pelvic floor muscles

• Overflow incontinence, which can result from weak bladder muscles or an obstruction in the urethra

• Urgency incontinence, which may be related to the nerves and the muscles of the bladder

• Mixed incontinence, which is a combination of at least two of the above, and often occurs after bladder muscles are weakened during pregnancy

What factors can cause urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is typically caused by natural changes in the body and does not necessarily indicate an underlying medical condition. While it can feel embarrassing, it is a common condition. It's also necessary to treat since it can interfere with your personal and professional life and lead to skin problems and recurring urinary tract infections.

Urinary incontinence may also be caused by factors that weaken the bladder muscles, such as:

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy

• Vaginal childbirth, which can lead to damage to the bladder nerves and tissue

• Aging of the bladder

• A drop in estrogen due to menopause

• Urinary tract infections

Less commonly, incontinence can be caused by neurological disorders or an obstruction such as a tumor.

Urinary incontinence is more common in women, older people, overweight people, and those who smoke. Family history can also play a role.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Dr. DeLucia uses several minimally invasive methods at The Secret Orchid. They are designed to strengthen your bladder muscles and minimize urges.

After a consultation, you may receive one of the following incontinence treatments:

• FemiLift – A laser therapy that strengthens the muscles around the bladder

• EMSELLA® – A noninvasive treatment that uses a special chair to send electromagnetic energy to contract and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles

• The O-Shot® – A nonsurgical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment that uses your own blood to stimulate growth and healing in the vaginal area to improve bladder control

Urinary incontinence is a common condition for women. While it may cause personal embarrassment at first, it can be treated if you see a doctor. It's essential to bring up symptoms of urinary incontinence to ensure it's caused by benign factors and not the result of a disease.

Get treatment for urinary incontinence in Hillsborough Township, NJ

At The Secret Orchid, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Carolyn DeLucia will ask you about your symptoms, listen to your concerns, and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your urinary incontinence and helps you regain control of your bladder.

To get started, simply schedule an appointment at our clinic in Hillsborough Township, NJ.