Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common and often frustrating condition that can affect women at any age. Whether it’s a small leak during exercise or a sudden urge that’s hard to control, bladder issues can interfere with daily life and confidence. The good news is that urinary incontinence is highly treatable. At Care for Womens Medical Group, we provide comprehensive, compassionate care across Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, and Eastvale to help you regain comfort and control.
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence occurs when the muscles and nerves that control the bladder don’t work properly. This may be due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, nerve dysfunction, or changes that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or aging.
Types of Urinary Incontinence:
- Stress incontinence: Leakage during coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercise
- Urge incontinence (overactive bladder): Sudden, intense need to urinate followed by leakage
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urge symptoms
- Overflow incontinence: Bladder doesn’t fully empty, causing frequent dribbling
Understanding the specific type of incontinence is key to choosing the right treatment.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Bladder control problems can develop for a variety of reasons, including:
- Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Menopause and lower estrogen levels
- Obesity or being overweight
- Chronic coughing or constipation
- Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke
- Previous pelvic or bladder surgery
Lifestyle factors, age, and family history can also influence bladder health and muscle strength.
When to See a Provider
Occasional leaks might feel normal, but persistent urinary incontinence is not something you have to live with. Schedule a visit with Care for Womens Medical Group if you experience:
- Leakage during activity or sudden urges
- Waking up multiple times a night to urinate
- Frequent, strong urges that are hard to control
- Pain or burning with urination
- Avoiding exercise or social activities due to fear of accidents
Early diagnosis can help identify the cause and prevent symptoms from worsening.
Diagnosis
Your provider will begin with a thorough review of your symptoms, health history, and daily habits. Diagnostic evaluation may include:
- Physical and pelvic exam
- Urinalysis to rule out infection
- Bladder diary to record fluid intake and frequency of leaks
- Post-void residual test to check bladder emptying
- Urodynamic testing or imaging for complex cases
These tools help us determine the type of incontinence and create a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment Options
Most women experience significant improvement—or complete resolution—of incontinence symptoms with appropriate care.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes:
- Bladder training and timed voiding
- Adjusting fluid and caffeine intake
- Weight loss and exercise programs
Pelvic Floor Therapy:
- Kegel exercises to strengthen muscles
- Referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist for guided training
Medications:
- Prescription drugs to relax the bladder or control urgency
- Topical vaginal estrogen to improve tissue strength after menopause
Minimally Invasive Procedures:
- VTone® or similar pelvic floor treatments to tone and strengthen muscles
- Bladder Botox® injections for overactive bladder
- Urethral bulking agents to reduce leaks
Surgical Options:
- Sling procedures to support the urethra
- Bladder neck suspension or other reconstructive techniques for more complex cases
Your OB/GYN will discuss which options best fit your lifestyle, preferences, and long-term goals.
Regain Comfort and Confidence
Urinary incontinence can be disruptive, but with expert care, it doesn’t have to define your life. Care for Womens Medical Group offers advanced, individualized treatments designed to help you regain confidence and live comfortably again.
Schedule an appointment with Care for Womens Medical Group today to evaluate your symptoms and find a lasting solution for urinary incontinence.