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Because we are a regional medical center for the treatment of female urinary incontinence, we have found that many women have similar questions about bladder control and pelvic floor problems. Here, we provide answers to some of the most common questions and we invite you to ask our nurse, Susan Barefoot, RN, about any issue you are experiencing. Just email her by clicking Ask-A-Nurse on any page of this website.

In women over 40, isn’t it normal to leak urine from time to time, especially when coughing, laughing or sneezing?

While it is very common, it is not “normal” to leak urine at any time. Involuntary release of urine is a symptom that something is not functioning properly in your body. It may be an issue with weakened pelvic floor muscles, brain-to-nerve miscommunication, or pelvic organ prolapse. You owe it to yourself to discuss your symptoms with a doctor at Glen Meade Incontinence Center because almost all cases of female urinary incontinence can be cured or significantly improved.

Are there simple behavioral changes I can make that may cure or reduce my bladder control problems?

Most definitely. In fact, your physician at Glen Meade Incontinence Center will diagnose the type of incontinence you are experiencing and make appropriate recommendations for controlling it. In almost all cases, the first approach will be to have you try noninvasive techniques, which may include behavior modifications, bladder retraining and/or physical therapy. Simple dietary changes (such as limiting caffeine, alcohol, fruit juices and artificial sweeteners) can significantly reduce accidents, as can retraining your bladder through regularly scheduled trips to the toilet. The first step is to see a specialist who can prescribe treatment.

I’ve heard about “slings” being very successful for women with bladder control problems. Will they help anyone with urinary incontinence?

Various mid-urethral slings have greatly improved the lives of thousands of women who struggle with bladder control; however they are not appropriate for every type of incontinence. Slings work very well for many women who have stress incontinence (although non-surgical approaches will likely be attempted first.) Women with urge incontinence are not candidates for mid-urethral slings because, unlike stress incontinence, urge incontinence is not caused by poor pelvic support.

Is there medication that I can take for urinary incontinence?

Again, it depends on the type of incontinence you are experiencing. As mentioned above, mid-urethral sling surgery is indicated for women with stress incontinence only. Likewise, all pharmaceuticals currently on the market for female urinary incontinence are effective on urge incontinence only. Your doctor will help you learn more about your options after reviewing your symptoms and conducting the appropriate diagnostic tests.

I am confused about the difference between stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Sometimes I leak urine when exercising, but I also will have a very sudden need to run to the toilet—sometimes not getting there on time.

You may have mixed incontinence, which simply means you have symptoms of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Since these conditions have different causes, physicians most often prescribe treatments for both types of incontinence. Many women will have the simple sling surgery for the stress incontinence, and take a prescription medication to control the urge incontinence. Also, many behavioral modifications and/or physical therapy techniques may be effective on both types.