7 Types of Bladder Control Problems in Women

Bladder control problems are common for many women. They are characterized by urine leakage, a progressively weaker urine stream, inability to empty the bladder or the frequent urge to urinate and rush to a bathroom. Bladder issues often restrict a woman’s range of physical activities and may cause withdrawal from social interactions, resulting in a diminished quality of life. Causes may include weakness of the pelvic fascio-muscular supports, nerve damage, various medications for neurologic conditions and underlying medical disorders like kidney disease and diabetes. While these problems differ according to cause and contributing factors, urologists can help women regain bladder control by identifying the type of bladder problem and administering the right treatment.
The 7 most common types of bladder control problems in women are:

1. Temporary or transient incontinence

This is a short-lived episode of loss of bladder control that commonly affects more than half of hospitalized women and at least a third of community-dwelling elderly women. It is often a side effect of medications (such as sleeping pills and diuretics) that lower cortical control over the urinary bladder or stimulate overproduction of urine. They may also be caused by surgery, pregnancy, urinary infections, severe constipation, or an inflamed or irritated bladder, vagina or urethra. In all cases, temporary incontinence will resolve on its own as soon as causative factors are identified and corrected.

2. Stress incontinence

This is the involuntary loss of bladder control associated with activities that increase physical pressure and stress in the abdomen and bladder. Affected women report having urine escapes when they laugh, cough, sneeze, have sex, exercise or engage in heavy lifting. It is the most common type of incontinence among women, occurring at any stage of life due to the physical changes of pregnancy, childbirth or menopause, all of which weaken the pelvic floor and reduce the effectiveness of bladder supporting ligaments.

3.Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is the loss of bladder control commonly resulting from abnormal nerve signals or nerve damage due to a cerebrovascular accident, an infection or diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by a strong, abrupt and urgent need to urinate without prior warning, followed by the escape of a considerable amount of urine almost at once. Women affected by this bladder problem report leaking urine on their way to the restroom, urinate more than eight times per day and usually have to get to the bathroom more than two times overnight.

4. Mixed incontinence

This type of incontinence represents a combination of the characteristics of both urge and stress incontinence, with affected women experiencing episodes of sudden, urgent and uncontrollable urge to urinate together with urine leakage after a sudden cough, sneeze or laughter. All the factors that trigger urge and stress incontinence also cause mixed incontinence, including abnormal nerve signals, nerve damage, weakened pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue abnormalities.

5. Functional incontinence

Unlike the other types of incontinence, functional incontinence is not caused by abnormalities in the urinary system, nerves or muscles, but it occurs when a woman is unable to reach the bathroom in time to void because of mental and physical limitations. For example, a woman who is handicapped (such as having arthritis, a broken leg, Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease) may not be able to move to the bathroom to urinate as soon as her bladder capacity is far exceeded, urinating where she is. Therefore, functional incontinence is a side effect of a mental or medical health issue.

6. Overflow incontinence

Characterized by the involuntary leakage of small amounts of urine when the amount of urine in the bladder exceeds the bladder’s maximum capacity, overflow incontinence occurs in women with weak bladder muscles, blocked urethra, kidney stones, scar tissue, pelvic organ prolapse, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. In overflow incontinence, the bladder has a substantial amount of residual urine and tends to overfill rapidly, resulting in the overflow of urine within a very short time. When not promptly treated, overflow incontinence can lead to bladder infection.

7. Overactive bladder

In some women, the inability to control the bladder is characterized by a sudden and unstoppable need to urinate, passing urine eight or more times per day and having to wake up two or more times every night to pass urine. In women with overactive bladder, detrusor muscles contract unpredictably and the inability to control the bladder can be so embarrassing that the affected person may want to isolate herself and limit her work and social life.
For women having bladder control problems, the good news is that a brief evaluation by an experienced urologist can quickly identify the type of bladder problem and pave the way for immediate treatment. If you have bladder control problems, inform your doctor and ask for help. Do not let your embarrassment keep you from getting the help you need. For more information, visit the site Advanced Urology Institute.

Why do I have a curved penis, Could it be a symptom of Peyronie’s disease?

The penis tends to bend slightly when it is erect because human anatomy is rarely perfectly symmetrical. The direction of bending of an erect penis depends on the ratio of the crus (portion of penis under the skin) to the exposed penis. Hence, a man with a shorter crus and longer exposed penis tends to have an erection pointing downward while one with a longer crus and shorter exposed penis has an erect penis pointing straight up or outward. In some men, the penis may curve slightly to the right or to the left. However, when the bend is more extreme and accompanied by painful erections, it may be a symptom of Peyronie’s disease.

What Is Peyronie’s Disease?

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is the most common cause of a curved penis. As a collagen disorder characterized by scar tissue (plaques) that develops under the skin, Peyronie’s disease is typified by a bend of the penis during erections. Other deformities, such as penis shrinkage, loss of girth, hourglass narrowing and indentation may also occur. The resulting bend makes penetrative sex painful or difficult, culminating in physical and psychological distress that causes difficulties in relationships.While the actual cause of Peyronie’s disease is not known, genetic defects, damage to blood vessels of the penis and low levels of testosterone hormone are believed to cause the disorder. And although the number of men who develop the condition is not known—given that most men are too embarrassed to see a doctor about the disorder—it is estimated that between 3-9 men out of 100 are affected. The disease is common among men in their fifties, though a small number of teenagers may also develop it.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease

Typical symptoms such as painful erections, bending, deformity of the shaft and angulation are indicative of the disease. Given these indications, the urologist will measure the bend or distortion of an erect penis using photographs taken by a patient at home, a vacuum pump, or an injection to stimulate an erection. In some cases, the urologist may find it necessary to order a duplex ultrasound test in order to have a more accurate assessment of blood circulation in the penis.

Treatment options for the disease include stretching (external penile traction), vacuum devices, oral medicines (such as para-aminobenzoate, propoleum and colchicines), topical medicines (applied on the surface of the penis, like topical verapamil), injections into scar tissue (such as interferon, verapamil and clostridium hystolyticum (Xiaflex)), electrical currents (iontophoresis) and surgery.

So, is it normal to have a curved penis or could it be a symptom of Peyronie’s disease? Well, a mild curvature may be normal, but a severe curvature accompanied by painful erections requires immediate medical attention as it may, in fact, be a symptom of a curable disease. Presently, urologists have several treatment options for handling the condition in a personalized manner. Don’t suffer in silence. For more information, visit Advanced Urology Institute.

Life Changing Treatment At Advanced Urology Institute

What I Do as a Physician Assistant – Lisa Cunningham

 

 

Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence in urology, Advanced Urology Institute offers a complete range of innovative, specialized and high quality medical services for male and female urological conditions. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team of specialists who work together for you, including preoperative nurses, urologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, dedicated robotic surgeons, postoperative recovery specialists and nurse navigators who coordinate urologic cancer care. Our board certified experts will work with you to identify the most effective treatment that meets your individual needs, ensuring a minimal disruption of your lifestyle.

Better Outcomes

At Advanced Urology Institute, we recognize that the most effective treatment for urologic conditions requires close collaboration between urologists, oncologists and other medical specialists. We have therefore created an environment in which the interactions between different specialists result in better patient care and improved outcomes. Our specialists work together managing each case jointly right from the start because we have removed all artificial boundaries between specialties, thus ensuring that transitions are seamless. In fact, we can deliver comprehensive treatment from one location by combining surgical expertise, on-site pathology and clinical laboratories, imaging services such as radiation therapy and CT scan, leading-edge robotic technology and synchronized care, resulting in unmatched personalized patient experience.

Comfort and Convenience

As experts on the conditions of the female and male urinary tract and the male reproductive system, we endeavor to help patients navigate sensitive health issues with a focus on their comfort and convenience. Every urologist at our center is open, friendly and willing to listen to the unique story of each patient in order to correctly recognize the symptoms and provide proper diagnosis. This extends to the use of the most recent diagnostic tools and the development of personalized treatment programs for conditions such as kidney cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, male erectile dysfunction, renal pelvic obstructions, adrenal disease and female urologic disorders.

Are you looking for the highest quality urology services? Visit our site ‘Advanced Urology Institute‘ for more information.