Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. You may occasionally leak small amounts of urine during certain activities, such as sneezing, or you may lose a significant amount of urine at once. The most common types of incontinence include:

Stress incontinence
The most common type of urinary incontinence, this condition occurs when stress or pressure on the bladder causes leaks. With stress incontinence, you may leak urine during everyday actions, such as laughing, sneezing, or exercising.

Urge incontinence
This type causes a sudden, intense urge to urinate that results in leakage before you have the opportunity to find a bathroom. You may feel the urge to urinate frequently throughout the day and even at night. This condition is sometimes referred to as an overactive bladder.

Many women have mixed incontinence, which involves symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.

Most cases of urinary incontinence involve problems with the muscles and nerves that control the flow of urine through your bladder and urethra. Women may be more susceptible to urinary incontinence than men because events such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can cause changes to these muscles and nerves.

Sometimes, incontinence only lasts a short time and may be caused by other factors, such as drinking too much caffeine, taking certain medications, or having a urinary tract infection.

First, your OB/GYN at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology performs a physical and pelvic exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history. She may also perform tests to diagnose the cause of your incontinence, such as:

• Urine test to check for infection
• Pelvic ultrasound to check for abnormalities

Your OB/GYN may ask you to take notes for a few days about when you empty your bladder or leak urine. This information may help her recognize patterns that can help her determine the best treatment for your condition.

Once she diagnoses your condition, your provider at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology creates a personalized treatment plan. This may include:

• Performing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles
• Taking medications to control urge incontinence
• Surgery to add support to your urethra
• MonaLisa Touch® or TempSure™ Vitalia treatments