Understand Available Treatments
Some of the treatments that might be recommended include:
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Your doctor might recommend that you learn to practice pelvic muscle exercises, which help women strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor during pregnancy and after childbirth. In some instances, these exercises have also been effective in reducing incontinence even in men. Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Bladder Training Program: This involves training yourself to hold on for longer between visits to the toilet and to make sure you empty your bladder properly when you go. There are a number of tricks to doing this and these are best learned under the supervision of your physiotherapist or nurse continence advisor. If your doctor suggests bladder training, a bladder diary as well as a schedule of activities that normally make up your day, will be important in developing a successful program for you.
- Biofeedback: In addition to pelvic muscle exercises, your doctor or nurse may recommend biofeedback to help you identify and control the muscles located around the bladder opening. In a clinic or similar setting, small sensors are temporarily placed in contact with your body. As you practice contracting muscles around the bladder opening, the sensors give you a signal, usually an audible tone or movement on a visual display or graph, indicating when you have correctly contracted the right muscles. In this manner, biofeedback can help maximise the benefits gained from practicing pelvic muscle exercises.
- Medication: In some cases, your health professional may prescribe medication either alone, or in combination with behavioural treatment to help restore continence. Be aware that some medications may actually contribute to your incontinence. For this reason, be sure your doctor knows about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you’re taking. All medications should be taken under the care of a doctor.
- Surgery: Your doctor may suggest surgery as a means of treating a physical condition contributing to your incontinence. He or she will counsel you on the best treatment, including the related advantages and risks.