Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence

Both men and women can suffer from Urinary Incontinence but it is more common in women, and around 40% of women experience UC at some point in their lives.   Otherwise known as loss of bladder control, it may be the result of childbirth or excess weight,  or triggered by stress or menopause.

There are two main types:  stress incontinence when urine escapes during exercise or exertion;  and urge incontinence, which is the inability to wait before urinating.

UC should not be accepted as a normal part of ageing says consultant gynaecologist Abhishek Gupta, who wrote this article.   “More women are realising that they don’t have to put up with it” he says.   “Incontinence is treatable”.

Mr. Gupta first advises about lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting down on coffee and stopping smoking.   Patients are then guided through bladder retraining (learning to hold on for longer).     Procedures available are urethral bulking to colposuspension and sling surgery.   “The results are very good”, says Mr. Gupta.   “Most people say their quality of life is improved”.

It is worth trying the bladder retraining in the first instance.