Urinary Incontinence

If you are having problems with incontinence, you might be feeling embarrassed about it. In fact, many women are so embarrassed about incontinence that they never tell their doctors—but there is good reason to seek treatment. In fact, about 80 percent of people with incontinence can be cured or helped significantly.

At the University of Tennessee Medical Center, we understand how devastating incontinence can be—and we are sensitive to your feelings about it. Your doctor will determine possible causes for your incontinence and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Here are some of the available treatments for incontinence.

• Behavioral therapy. Kegel exercises, or exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, are commonly prescribed to help cure incontinence. Another behavioral therapy is biofeedback, a computerized training project that helps you become aware of and regain control over the muscles involved in urinating.
• Drugs. Sometimes, a simple antibiotic is all that’s needed to treat an underlying infection causing incontinence. Other drugs commonly prescribed for incontinence include anticholinergic drugs, which block bladder spasms.
• Surgery. There are a range of surgical techniques that help incontinence. Surgeries range from simple procedures that strengthen the sphincter muscles to more complex procedures that repair the pelvic floor.

Click here to find out more about physical therapy evaluation and treatment.

Healthcare coordinators are available by calling toll-free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.