Urinary Incontinence

Leaking urine is one of the most common problems women experience, especially after childbirth and around menopause. Many women wait years before mentioning it. It is not something you have to accept, and most women improve with treatment.

Types of incontinence

• Stress incontinence: leaking with a cough, sneeze, laugh, lifting or exercise, caused by weakness in the support of the bladder and urethra
• Urgency incontinence, or overactive bladder: a sudden, strong need to urinate that is hard to hold
• Mixed incontinence: a combination of the two

What can contribute

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Menopause and the fall in estrogen
• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Certain medications
• Excess weight
• Pelvic organ prolapse

How it is evaluated

Your physician asks about your symptoms and when leakage happens, performs a pelvic examination and tests a urine sample for infection. You may be asked to keep a short bladder diary. Sometimes an ultrasound or bladder function testing is recommended.

Treatment options

Treatment starts with the simplest measures that are likely to help:

• Pelvic floor muscle exercises, often with a specialized physical therapist
• Bladder training and adjustments to fluids and caffeine
• Treatment of constipation or infection, and review of medications
• Vaginal estrogen after menopause
• A pessary, a small device worn in the vagina to support the bladder
• Medication for overactive bladder

If these are not enough, procedures and surgery can help, including treatments for an overactive bladder and operations that support the urethra. When these are the best option, we refer you to a urogynecology specialist and coordinate your care.

Visiting Lenox OBGYN

Our office is at 203 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065, on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Most of our patients come to us from across the tri-state area, and many travel from other states and from abroad for their care. To make an appointment, use the booking button on this page or call 917-688-2624.

This page offers general information and is not medical advice. Your physician will advise you about your own situation.