Bladder/Fecal Incontinence

Bladder incontinence, or urinary incontinence, occurs when you accidentally leak urine. The two most common types of urinary incontinence are:

Stress incontinence: Urine leaks when pressure is placed on the urinary bladder, such as pressure from coughing or laughing.

Overactive bladder: It’s also called urge incontinence, because the need to urinate suddenly becomes so strong that an accident occurs if you don’t get to the bathroom quickly.

As you get older, you’re more likely to develop urinary incontinence because the bladder muscles weaken. However, urinary incontinence is not considered a normal part of aging. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and vascular disease can also increase your risk.

Urinary incontinence has multiple possible causes:

• Underlying health conditions: Urinary tract infections and constipation
• Pregnancy and childbirth: Excess stress weakens pelvic floor muscles, and they can’t support the bladder
• Menopause: Estrogen helps keep the lining of the bladder healthy, so low levels cause the tissues to deteriorate
• Pelvic organ prolapse: Causes sagging of the bladder, bowel, or uterus
• Medications: High blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants
• Food and drink: Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and foods high in sugar tend to increase urine temporarily and stimulate the problem

Fecal incontinence can range from occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence is embarrassing and difficult to talk about, but you can be assured that the doctors at UroGyn Specialists of Florida understand. When you talk to them about fecal incontinence, they’re able to help.

Just like urinary incontinence, age is a risk factor for fecal incontinence. Some of the possible causes include:

• Childbirth by vaginal delivery
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Muscle weakness or damage
• Nerve damage
• Loss of stretch in the rectum
• Rectocele
• Inactivity

Treatment for both types of incontinence is tailored for each individual and may include dietary considerations, pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder or bowel training, and medications. Both can also be treated with minimally-invasive robotic surgery, which uses a few small incisions and has faster recovery time than traditional surgery.

Our physicians are experts in minimally-invasive surgery, and they operate in our state-of-the-art surgical center that’s double-certified by the state of Florida and the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities.