GYNAECOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Incontinence

There are two common types of incontinence, both of which occur more commonly in older women. Stress incontinence is the term used to describe the leakage of urine with various types of physical exercise, such as coughing, sneezing and straining. Urge incontinence occurs when the bladder automatically empties each time it is full. When a women has the urge to pass urine she has to quickly get to the nearest toilet or she will be incontinent.

The treatment of stress incontinence often involves the strengthening of the ligaments in the pelvis and the supports of the bladder. This usually requires surgery. Urge incontinence is not helped by surgery. Various treatments including bladder retraining techniques and drugs to inhibit the contraction of the bladder can be very successful.

It is important that any patient complaining of incontinence problems undergoes urodynamics investigations before the appropriate treatment is determined.