Kegel Exercises
For stress incontinence, a doctor may recommend
Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles below the bladder (pelvic floor muscles) that hold in urine. These exercises involve repeatedly tightening, holding, and then relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses measuring devices to help you become aware of your body's functioning. By using electronic devices or diaries to track when your bladder and urethral muscles contract, you can usually gain control over these muscles. Biofeedback can be used with pelvic muscle exercises, and electrical stimulation, to relieve stress and urge incontinence.
Female Incontinence Treatment: Medicines for Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder occurs when abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning. Normal women may void (urinate) up to 12 times a day, but women with overactive bladder may find that they must urinate more frequently. Specifically, the symptoms of overactive bladder include:
- Urinary frequency -- urination 13 or more times a day or 2 or more times at night
- Urinary urgency -- the sudden, strong need to urinate immediately
- Urge incontinence -- leakage or gushing of urine that follows a sudden, strong urge.
If you have an overactive bladder, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to block the nerve signals that cause frequent urination and urgency.
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