Don't Live With Leaking

Think you’re the only one who suffers from a leaky bladder? Think again. Urinary incontinence affects more than 60% of women in the United States — especially women who are older. But just because incontinence is common, it doesn’t mean you have to live with it.

A (Mostly) Female Problem

Put simply, urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It affects twice as many women as men because it’s typically caused by impacts from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. These life events can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, which makes it harder to hold in urine. 

It also doesn’t help that the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, meaning any weakness or damage to the urethra in a woman is more likely to cause leaking.

There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

• Stress incontinence is the most common kind and the type that affects younger women more than older women. It’s caused by stress or pressure on the bladder.
• Urge incontinence is more common in older women. It’s characterized by a sudden need to urinate, an urge to go more frequently than usual, or a feeling of having to go at unexpected times, such as when hearing running water.

Ban Bladder Woes

If you’re experiencing bladder leakage, talk to your doctor. They can help determine what’s going on by asking about your symptoms, performing a physical exam, and ordering other tests to check the urine, bladder, kidneys and urethra. 

Often, urinary incontinence can be treated at home. Your doctor may recommend things to try like drinking less caffeine, doing Kegel exercises and over-the-counter constipation treatments. If those don’t work, though, North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health have a team of experienced urogynecologists ready to help.

“Aging women don’t have to suffer with incontinence,” said Ian Rosbrugh, MD, a urogynecologist with Meritas Health Urogynecology. “We offer various minimally invasive and surgical treatments to help control urination, so women can live the life they want without worrying about incontinence.”

Meritas Health Urogynecology Opening Soon

Dr. Rosbrugh, Dr. Ray and Stephanie Volker are opening a urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery clinic in Medical Plaza, 2750 Clay Edwards Dr. Suite 312 in November.

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