What is incontinence?
Incontinence is the inability to control your urine (urinary incontinence) or bowels (fecal incontinence). Incontinence can range from the discomfort of slight losses of urine or feces to severe, frequent accidents. More than 13 million men and women in the United States experience urinary incontinence, and it is especially common in women over age 50. Fecal incontinence affects more than 5.5 million Americans and is also more likely in older women. Loss of urine or bowel control can be distressing. Women who have incontinence may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Some avoid public settings out of fear they might have an accident. Most try to hide the problem as long as possible, so they withdraw from friends and family. But incontinence is not inevitable. Fortunately, there are many treatments available to improve urine or bowel control and make incontinence easier to manage.
Are there different types of incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of urine control, or the inability to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. Fecal incontinence or bowel incontinence is the inability to control your bowels. It is also called ano/rectal incontinence, and may occur when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, and are unable able to hold it until you can get to a toilet, or when gas or stool leak from the rectum unexpectedly during daily activities or exertion.
How is incontinence diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment and a cure for incontinence. The physicians in the UAB Continence Clinic at the Women's Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Division of UAB specialize in caring for women with these problems. Your symptoms, medical history, and pattern of urination or bowel movements and leakage may suggest the type of incontinence. A physical examination also helps determine signs medical conditions related to incontinence.
When should you seek treatment?
You should seek treatment when incontinence bothers you, affects your lifestyle, or causes embarrassment. For most women, treatment for incontinence is completely successful or symptoms are greatly improved. The specialists of the UAB Women's Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery division provide professional and sensitive care for women with all types of incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Our patients are provided a variety of highly effective, non-surgical approaches, including medications, behavioral therapies, and support devices. For those who need surgery, the latest, minimally invasive techniques usually allow women to go home the same day and recover quickly. Don't let any embarrassment about incontinence prevent you from talking to your health care provider about your condition. Help is available.