- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Incontinence
Incontinence is the condition that involves urinating involuntarily. It occurs to many people, though mostly women and people over the age of 50. There are a number of causes of this problem; therefore each case must be diagnosed individually to determine the appropriate course of action. This can be a very stressful condition, but it is important that anyone suffering from it seek advice from a specialist because the symptoms can often be treated successfully.
There are two main causes of incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs because the muscles that control urination and the bladder have become too weak and can no longer hold urine in effectively. This is a physical condition that can come as a result of any mild trauma to the muscles in the abdomen. Pregnancy and obesity can have this effect on the muscles, as can hormonal changes such as those related to menopause. Other factors such as constipation and lifting heavy weights can contribute towards the problem, or basically any action that puts strain on the muscles. Stress incontinence is triggered by any action that stimulates the bladder, such as coughing or sneezing for example.
The second main cause of incontinence is urge incontinence. This is more of a neurological problem, and is related to the brain sending signals to the muscles around the bladder at the wrong times. Normally, signals will be sent when a person is in an appropriate position to pass urine, but urge incontinence means that the person no longer has choice or control over these signals. This condition can be caused by any disease or similar condition that affects the nervous system or brain, or sometimes by bladder infections. This type of incontinence is triggered at any time, and the person suffering from the condition will experience a sudden urge to urinate, moments before passing large amounts of urine.
There are many different ways to treat this condition, depending upon what type of incontinence a patient is suffering from. Initial steps taken are to change dietary habits that might be causing the problem. Exercises can be performed that strengthen the muscles surrounding the bladder, and many sufferers benefit from this option. For more extreme cases, there is the option of special medications to regulate the passing of urine, or surgery to affect the nerves that control the muscles around the bladder. The surgical treatments for this condition are relatively extreme, and should only be considered when all other methods of treatment are exhausted or deemed inappropriate.