Urinary incontinence, or bladder leakage, is the loss of bladder control. While it is a common problem, it can be embarrassing and affect quality of life. People who suffer from bladder leakage may stay at home more and miss out on things because they are afraid of experiencing a leak. While bladder leakage is most associated with aging, there are a lot of other reasons why someone might suffer from incontinence. 

What Causes Bladder Leakage

Bladder leakage can be caused by everyday habits, medical conditions or physical problems. Temporary urinary incontinence can be caused by eating and drinking certain foods and liquids. It can also be caused by urinary tract infections or constipation. Addressing these issues can usually clear up the problem.

More persistent bladder leakage can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth, aging, menopause, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, an obstruction or certain neurological conditions. Women are more likely to have stress urinary incontinence than men. Being overweight, smoking, and genetics can also play a role in causing bladder leakage. 

Symptoms of Bladder Leakage

There are different types of urinary incontinence, which each cause their own symptoms. Depending on what type you have may determine the symptoms and treatment options available to you. 

Stress incontinence occurs when pressure is put on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, exercising or even laughing. Urge incontinence is when a strong and sudden urge comes to urinate. People who experience this type may have trouble making it to the bathroom on time. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty completely and the person experiences leaking. Functional incontinence is when a physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the bathroom in time. A common cause of this is arthritis. There is also mixed incontinence, which is a combination of the above listed types. The most common one is stress and urge incontinence. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to speak with your doctor about treatment options. 

Bladder Leakage Treatment Options

There are certain things you can do to try to prevent urinary incontinence from happening in the first place. These include maintaining a healthy weight, pelvic floor exercises, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods, adding more fiber to your diet, and quitting smoking. 

If you are suffering from bladder leakage, you are not alone. There are behavioral techniques you can try to manage the incontinence like bladder training, scheduled bathroom trips, and reducing liquid consumption. There are also pelvic floor muscle exercises you can do to strengthen those muscles. Depending on the severity, you may need electrical stimulation, interventional therapies, or surgery. 

Viveve Solutions Treatment for Women

Here at Twin Cities Integrative Medicine in Maple Grove, Minnesota, we are proud to offer Viveve Solutions as a non-surgical bladder leakage treatment option for women. The Viveve System delivers a single-session treatment to generate collagen and restore tissue. The procedure requires no anesthesia and is very comfortable for the patient. There is also no downtime. Contact our office to learn if Viveve Solutions may be the right option for you!