What Is Urge Urinary Incontinence and How Can I Manage It?

At Craig Ranch OB/GYN of McKinney, TX, we work routinely with women who have a variety of conditions that they may find embarrassing to talk about. However, being open and honest with your medical team is the best way to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for your concerns. One condition we see in our practice is that of urge urinary incontinence.

What Is Urge Urinary Incontinence?

Urge urinary incontinence is the medical term used to describe a condition that causes one’s sudden and intense need to pass urine. This type of incontinence can be described as an overwhelming urge, which makes it difficult for the affected person to hold their urine until they have found an appropriate place to urinate. In most cases, people with this condition experience involuntary loss of urine when they cannot control or suppress the urge due to involuntary contractions of their urethra muscles. This is different from stress urinary incontinence, where people lose small amounts of urine when they sneeze, cough or laugh suddenly and unexpectedly.

What Causes Urge Urinary Incontinence?

For people suffering from urge urinary incontinence, there are several possible causes behind this condition:

• Some individuals may experience bladder spasms as a result of neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
• Some women may develop this condition after giving birth due to the weakening of specific muscles that support the bladder, urethra and pelvic floor.
• Women with chronic constipation can also have urge urinary incontinence because increased pressure around their anal and rectal areas can lead to weakened urethral muscles.

What Are the Symptoms of Urge Urinary Incontinence?

The main symptom of urge urinary incontinence is an uncontrollable feeling of having to urinate immediately before actually doing so. Other associated symptoms include increased frequency of passing urine, leaking during sleep and heavy nighttime urination.

How Is Urge Urinary Incontinence Treated?

There are several treatment options for people with urge urinary incontinence. These may include physical therapy, medications such as anticholinergics and various behavioral treatments. During an evaluation and after a definitive diagnosis, patients can work with their experienced doctors at Craig Ranch OB/GYN to discuss the best treatment for the severity and type of urinary incontinence they have been diagnosed with.

How Do I Get a Diagnosis of This Condition and Learn More About Management?

If you are suffering from this condition and would like to learn more about the available treatments available at our McKinney, TX area practice, it is important to consult your doctor at Craig Ranch OB/GYN. Our doctors can assess the severity of your symptoms and recommend an appropriate course of action based on your individual needs. Call 214-544-6600 to request a visit today!