Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common condition that can affect the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of those affected , as well as their families and caregivers.
There is involuntary leakage of urine on effort or exertion e.g. sneezing or coughing. It is usually caused by an incompetent sphincter and weak pelvic outlet from previous trauma, previous pregnancies, or increased abdominal pressure such as constipation, obesity and chronic cough.
There is involuntary leakage of urine accompanied by, or immediately preceded by, the urgent need to empty your bladder. This is due to the involuntary and inappropriate contractions of the muscles in the wall of the bladder. The cause is usually unknown but may also be caused by local irritation from urinary tract infection, bladder stones or bladder tumour. Other uncommon causes include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia or spinal cord injury.
There is urgency that occurs with or without urge incontinence. It often involves daytime frequency and the need to wake up at night to urinate. It is a diagnosis of exclusion – when no identifiable cause is found. Mixed incontinence There is involuntary leakage of urine associated with both urgency and exertion – mixed features of stress and urge incontinence.
This is usually due to chronic bladder outflow obstruction – when the bladder is very full but unable to empty. It may be more common in diabetic or stroke patients. It also occurs commonly after deliveries or pelvic surgeries. It can affect kidney function if left untreated. Therefore, early assessment and intervention are required.
There is continuous leakage of urine. This may be due to a fistulous track between the vagina and the ureter, or bladder, or urethra, which may be caused by infection, tumours or previous surgery.
Pelvic floor exercises should be taught and practised by women during pregnancy.
The diagnosis is usually made after your doctor has taken a complete history and performed a thorough physical examination. Basic and further investigations will be planned depending on the initial assessment.
History taking involves asking you questions about your symptoms, details about your previous pregnancies, medical and surgical history and medications. Your doctor may also enquire about sexual history and how your condition may have affected your daily activities and quality of life. You may also be asked to complete a bladder diary for up to three days, including both working days and days off.
Abdominal and pelvic examination will be performed to assess for any possible tumours, co-existing pelvic organ prolapse, strength of pelvic floor muscle contraction or signs of vaginal atrophy. An erect stress test – where the patient will be asked to stand on an incontinence sheet and cough about 10 times, to assess for any urinary leakage, is usually performed. If necessary, a neurological examination may also be performed.
Further tests will be ordered after the doctor’s initial assessment.
Most commonly, a urine dipstick test to look for blood, glucose, protein, white blood cells and nitrites will be done. Urine cultures to exclude urinary tract infection may also be part of the initial assessment.
Post-void residual urine volume should be measured in women who have symptoms suggesting voiding dysfunction or recurrent urinary tract infections. This may be performed using a bladder scan or catheterisation.
For some people, urodynamics studies, a complex assessment of changes in bladder activity during filling and emptying, may be required to confirm the diagnosis and decide on treatment options, especially if surgery for urinary incontinence is considered.
In general, lifestyle modifications such as weight control in obese patients and reduction of caffeine intake may help to reduce symptoms of stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence.
Non-surgical options
Surgical options Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for stress incontinence when conservative management has failed. Your childbearing wishes also have to be considered before surgery. The following surgical procedures have high success rates of up to 80 to 90 percent but also have risks including but not limited to bladder, vaginal wall and bowel injuries, urinary retention and infection. They should only be undertaken by a trained and accredited surgeon.
Other options such as vaginal devices, collagen injections and artificial urinary sphincter are not recommended as first-or secondline treatment strategies.
Lifestyle modifications
Medications
Other options These treatment modalities may only be considered for those who have failed the above medical treatments.
Treatment should be directed towards the predominant symptom, but may involve a combination of approaches.
Ladies, do not suffer in silence. Please seek medical help early to improve your quality of life.
