Urinary Incontinence

More than 33 million adults in the United States experience some form of urinary incontinence. Frequent urges to urinate and accidental urine leakage can be frustrating and embarrassing, but effective treatment options are available.

The team at Augusta Urology Associates evaluates the underlying causes of urinary incontinence and offers a range of proven medical and minimally invasive treatment options to help manage symptoms and improve bladder control.

Questions and Answers

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to the loss of bladder control, which can lead to accidental urine leakage. There are several types of urinary incontinence, each with different causes and symptoms:

  • Stress Incontinence: This occurs when pressure is placed on the bladder, causing urine leakage. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects can trigger these small leaks.
  • Urge Incontinence: Often described as a sudden and intense need to urinate, urge incontinence can lead to leakage before you are able to reach a restroom.
  • Overflow Incontinence: This type involves frequent or continuous dribbling of urine because the bladder cannot fully empty during urination.
  • Mixed Incontinence: Mixed incontinence is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.
  • Functional Incontinence: This occurs when physical or cognitive limitations—such as certain medical conditions or medication side effects—prevent someone from reaching the bathroom in time.

Urinary incontinence affects millions of men and women, but effective treatments are available. A medical evaluation can help determine the cause and identify treatment options that can improve bladder control and quality of life.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

Temporary urinary incontinence can sometimes occur after consuming certain foods or drinks. Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and artificially sweetened drinks may irritate the bladder and increase the urge to urinate. Foods such as chocolate or spicy dishes can also contribute to short-term bladder symptoms in some individuals.

Certain medications—including some used to treat heart conditions or high blood pressure, as well as sedatives and muscle relaxants—may also affect bladder control. In men, conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or treatments for prostate cancer can contribute to urinary incontinence. In women, hormonal changes related to pregnancy, menopause, or hysterectomy may play a role.

Other conditions, such as kidney stones or neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, can also affect bladder function in both men and women. Additional risk factors that may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence include excess body weight, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of bladder control problems.

How Do You Diagnose Urinary Incontinence?

Your physician will begin by reviewing your medical history and discussing your symptoms in detail. A physical examination is typically performed, and a urine sample may be collected for urinalysis to check for infection or other underlying conditions.

Your urologist may also measure your post-void residual urine, which evaluates how much urine remains in the bladder after you urinate. This test helps assess how well the bladder is emptying. In some cases, you may be asked to keep a bladder diary for several days, recording your fluid intake, urination frequency, and any leakage episodes to help better understand your symptoms.

What is the Treatment for Urinary Incontinence?

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, its underlying cause, and your individual health needs. A physician will recommend a treatment plan designed to help improve bladder control and reduce symptoms.

Common treatment options may include:

  • Medications: Certain medications, such as anticholinergics, beta-3 agonists like Myrbetriq®, or alpha blockers for men with overflow incontinence, may help manage bladder function.

  • Urethral sling procedures: A sling can be placed to provide additional support to the urethra and help prevent urine leakage.

  • Artificial urinary sphincter: This device may be recommended for some men to help restore bladder control.

  • Sacral neuromodulation (InterStim®): This therapy uses gentle electrical stimulation to help regulate the nerves that control bladder function.

  • Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercises can strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control.

  • Behavioral strategies: Techniques such as bladder training, scheduled urination, and double voiding may help manage symptoms.

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, a medical evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the most appropriate treatment options to improve your quality of life.