Incontinence Specialist
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Auburn Urogynecology and Women’s Health
Female Urology & Gynecology located in Auburn, CA
Do you find that you’re starting to leak urine when you cough or laugh or you can’t seem to make it to the restroom in time? You could have a common condition called incontinence. Women of all ages have found treatment and relief from urinary incontinence at Auburn Urogynecology and Women’s Health located in California. James S. Dunn, Jr. MD, determines the underlying causes of incontinence for treatment that’s effective and long-lasting. Book an appointment online or call the office to get started today.
Incontinence Q & A
What is incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. You might dribble some urine when you cough or sneeze, or you might feel the urgent need to urinate come on so suddenly that you barely make it to the restroom in time.
While incontinence commonly occurs with age, it can also be a sign that something else is going on in the body. Incontinence obviously affects your behavior; you might hesitate to go far from home for fear you’ll have an accident.
It also affects some women emotionally. The constant anxiety about getting to the restroom on time or embarrassment about leaking urine leaves them feeling anxious, isolated, even depressed.
What causes incontinence?
Many health factors and conditions increase your chances of developing urinary incontinence, including:
- Aging
- Blockage
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Hysterectomy
- Menopause
Pregnancy is an example of a temporary cause of incontinence. Some foods, drinks, and medications also trigger brief episodes of incontinence. Other causes, like aging and hysterectomy, require medical intervention to improve.
How is incontinence treated?
Your treatment depends on the type of incontinence you have and the underlying physical cause of your condition.
You can begin by making easy lifestyle changes at home. Avoiding the foods and medications that cause you to go more often is a great start. Maintaining a healthy weight and doing pelvic exercises to strengthen the bladder muscles also improves bladder control.
In addition to these helpful behavioral changes, your provider offers several effective treatments for incontinence:
Bladder BotoxⓇ injections
Botox injections reduce the involuntary bladder contractions that cause overactive bladder. Bladder Botox results usually last 6-12 months.
Periurethral bulking agents
Dr. Dunn injects a bulking agent directly into the periurethral tissue to tighten the urethra and prevent leakage. These injections are quick, painless, and offer results lasting 12-14 months.
Transvaginal tape (TVT sling)
This small, synthetic mesh is inserted through a small incision in the vagina to support the midurethra and improve function and control. This procedure is considered the gold standard for treating incontinence.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation
Dr. Dunn creates your personalized program that includes pelvic exercises, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation designed to improve the strength and function of the pelvic floor.
These are just a few of the innovative therapies Dr. Dunn and his staff use to treat women with incontinence. Embarrassing accidents can be a thing of the past. Call or click to schedule an appointment with Auburn Urogynecology today.
