Urinary Incontinence & Overactive bladder

Involuntary urine leakage – urinary incontinence – occurs in many women. The most common forms of incontinence are urge incontinence and stress incontinence.

Stress incontinence happens when activities that increase pressure on the bladder, such as sneezing, laughing, coughing, or exercise, force urine out of the bladder.
Urgency incontinence, usually part of the overactive bladder syndrome, consists of an urgent, sudden and intense sensation of needing to urinate accompanied by involuntary leakage.

To make an accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of incontinence, a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and urine tests are done. A bladder diary or urodynamic testing may be necessary in addition to these for some individuals.

Urodynamic

Urodynamics assesses the efficiency of the bladder and urethra in retaining and releasing urine. This includes filling the bladder with fluid using a small catheter and monitoring bladder pressure and urine flow during filling and emptying. Urodynamics tests the specific type of incontinence and directs the course of treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment varies depending on the type and degree of incontinence.

Lifestyle changes (weight reduction, fluid management)
Pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises)
Medication for urge incontinence
Bladder training and biofeedback
In women with incontinence caused by stress, there are highly effective minimally invasive surgical options.
Minimally invasive surgery: TVT and TOT Slings

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Stress Incontinence

The most prevalent operative treatments for Stress Incontinence are the Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT) and Transobturator Tape (TOT) procedures. Both consist of the insertion of a thin mesh tape under the urethra to provide support and stop leakage during activities that raise the pressure on the abdomen. They are short procedures, performed either under general or regional anesthesia, with short recoveries and high success.