- Have a physical examination and a stress test on the bladder performed to determine the cause of your urinary incontinence. If you are an older female or a woman who has not had a recent stroke, expect to have additional tests performed, such as an EMG to test the sphincter muscle and an ultrasound. The results of the findings will help your doctor arrive at a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
- Be prepared to discuss with your doctor the various treatment options that can help improve your urinary incontinence. One type of treatment your doctor may suggest is timed evacuation. This type of treatment will involve going to the bathroom on a schedule so you can control urination. If weak muscles are the cause of urinary incontinence, Kegal exercises can give strength to these muscles. Kegal exercises are performed by squeezing the vagina and holding the squeeze for three seconds, then releasing the squeeze for three seconds. Three sets of 10 repetitions should be done to see improvement in about 42 days. Another type of treatment that is sometimes recommended for an overactive bladder is medication that comes under the category of anticholinergics. Stress and urge incontinence can be helped with biofeedback, which assists in body awareness and helps you obtain control of the muscles involved with voiding. A pessary ring inserted into the vagina can help women with stress incontinence by changing the position of the urethra. Bulking agent injections can also help improve stress incontinence. Therapy known as neuromodulation, where a device is surgically implanted to stimulate certain nerves and improve urge incontinence, is another treatment used for the improvement of urinary incontinence. A hysterectomy or other surgical procedure may be best for women with pelvic prolapse or irregular positioning of the bladder that causes stress incontinence. A simple measure that may help improve urinary incontinence is the elimination of coffee, tea and alcohol from the diet.
