Take Back Your Life: 5 Ways to Overcome Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or UI, is an issue that affects both men and women – but it's more common in females. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, half of all women experience a UI at some point.

Living with UI means you can't always make it to the bathroom on time and wearing leak-proof undergarments to catch urine that slips out. It can be challenging to deal with and downright embarrassing, but there is hope.

When you’re desperate to get your life back from incontinence, Dr. Darin L. Weyhrich and our team provide compassionate care and helpful treatments for women in the Boise, Idaho community.

Understanding incontinence

Incontinence is a problem that affects many women, especially after childbirth or menopause – but there are other causes as well. Frequent urinary tract infections or pelvic floor problems may also cause urinary incontinence.

Women who unexpectedly leak urine throughout the day or night may have incontinence problems. It's embarrassing and difficult to control. Various forms of incontinence affect women and men, including:

• Mixed incontinence
• Stress incontinence
• Urge incontinence
• Overflow incontinence

Although incontinence isn't life-threatening, it causes emotional distress and other issues without treatment. The good news is that lifestyle changes and medical treatments can eliminate urinary incontinence from your life.

Five ways to take back your life from incontinence

Living with incontinence is tough, but you can overcome the problem with a few lifestyle modifications. Changing your daily routine can retrain your bladder and avoid urinary leakage and embarrassment.

Dr. Weyhrich offers various lifestyle tips and treatments for women living with incontinence, five of which include:

1. Strengthen the pelvic floor

Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which allow you to avoid urinary leakage. You can do Kegels any time of day by tightening the muscles you hold in urine.

Hold the muscles tight for a few seconds, and then relax. Work up to holding the muscles tight longer each day, which helps you control UI.

2. Follow a toileting schedule

Getting your bladder on a schedule significantly reduces urinary incontinence. Think of it as training your bladder to empty itself every two hours to avoid overfilling and urge incontinence.

Most people empty their bladders about six to eight times daily before bed and leaving the house. Follow a simple schedule that works for you and allows your bladder to empty fully.

3. Keep a bathroom diary

A bathroom diary lets Dr. Weyhrich see your fluid intake and toileting schedule over a week. The diary includes the amount of fluid you drank during the day, how often you went to the bathroom, and how frequently urine leaked.

This information is critical in helping Dr. Weyhrich determine the best treatments for your needs.

4. Use a fluid intake schedule

Retraining your bladder may be as simple as following a daily fluid intake schedule. Drinking at certain times tells your bladder when to fill and empty on a schedule, helping you avoid embarrassing urine leaks.

Aim to drink no more than 60 and no fewer than 40 ounces daily. Avoid drinking after 6pm to stay dry throughout the night.

5. Limit bladder irritants

Certain liquids irritate the bladder’s lining, increasing the risk of incontinence. Avoiding irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and citrus fruits and juices is vital. Smoking is another irritant that may lead to more frequent urinary leakage.

Are there other treatments for incontinence?

Lifestyle changes are among the best ways to manage urinary incontinence, but they're not always enough. Some people require professional treatments to eliminate the problem.

If you're still dealing with urinary leakage, Dr. Weyhrich may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Medications
• Neuromodulators
• Sling procedures
• Botox® injections
• Bulking agents

The type of treatment you need depends on various factors, including the type of incontinence and your overall health. Dr. Weyhrich discusses each option to help you determine which is best for your needs.

Call Darin L. Weyhrich, MD, in Boise, Idaho, or book online to schedule an appointment to discuss urinary incontinence treatment with Dr. Weyhrich.