Loss of bladder control, or urinary incontinence, can be embarrassing and frustrating, but it’s widespread. Fortunately, Ramin Khalili, MD, Armen Dikranian, MD, and their specialized staff offer numerous treatments for urinary incontinence to men and women throughout Southern California. If urinary incontinence is interfering with your quality of life, call the office of Huntington Urology Specialists in Pasadena, California, or book an appointment online to learn more.

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What symptoms of urinary incontinence warrant a doctor’s care?

When urinary incontinence interferes with your lifestyle and causes you to avoid certain situations or to avoid going out in public, you should call Huntington Urology Specialists. Specific symptoms include:

  • Stress incontinence, when urine leaks as you exert pressure, such as if you sneeze or laugh
  • Overflow incontinence, in which your bladder doesn’t empty completely, so you constantly dribble small amounts of urine
  • Urge incontinence, which is characterized by sudden, intense urges to urinate and the involuntary loss of urine.

If incontinence is negatively impacting your life, call the team at Huntington Urology Specialists.

What causes urinary incontinence?

Temporary cases of incontinence can be caused by alcohol, caffeine, or certain medications. As you age, you’re also at greater risk of experiencing incontinence, as your muscles weaken.

Physical changes in your body can cause urinary incontinence. These include:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Menopause
  • Hysterectomy
  • Enlarged prostate or prostate cancer
  • Neurological disorders, such as a stroke or Parkinson’s disease

Women are more prone to urinary incontinence, as are people who are overweight, who smoke, or who have a family history of the condition.

How is urinary incontinence evaluated?

In planning your treatment, the team at Huntington Urology Specialists first determines which type of urinary incontinence you have.

Besides obtaining a thorough medical history and physical exam, they may need to give you certain screenings, including:

  • Urinalysis to test your urine
  • Bladder diary to track your drinking and voiding habits
  • Post-void residual measurement to check how much urine is left over after you’ve used the restroom

In some cases, a pelvic ultrasound and/or urodynamic testing are ordered to get more details about how effectively your bladder, sphincters, and urethra are storing and releasing urine.

What are the treatments for urinary incontinence?

Treatment depends a lot on the cause and severity of your condition. Lifestyle and behavioral changes, such as learning to empty your bladder at each bathroom visit and managing your food and drink intake, may be the first step. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor can also lessen the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

The team at Huntington Urology Specialists may prescribe medications that help men and women calm an overactive bladder and increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold.

For some cases of incontinence, women may undergo vaginal rejuvenation to restore soft tissue strength and elasticity.

To learn more about treatments for urinary incontinence, call Huntington Urology Specialists, or book an appointment online.