Female Incontinence Treatment (Cont.)

 
Bladder Relaxants
For many years, only two urinary incontinence medicines were approved to treat overactive bladder:
 
In 2004, the FDA approved three more drugs:
 
These incontinence medicines belong to the class of drugs called bladder relaxants.
 
Their most common side effect is dry mouth, although larger doses may cause other symptoms, such as:
 
  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Faster heartbeat
  • Flushing (reddening of the skin).
    •  
Antidepressants
Imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil®), a tricyclic antidepressant, that relaxes bladder muscles and tightens urethral muscles, may be used instead of, or in combination with Ditropan XL® or Detrol LA®.
 
Side effects may include:
 
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia.
    •  
If you take medicine to treat an overactive bladder, you should take several precautions, such as:
 
  • Wear sunglasses if your eyes become more sensitive to light
  • Take care not to become overheated
  • Chew gum, or suck on sugarless hard candy to avoid dry mouth.
    •  

Female Incontinence Treatment: Electrical Stimulation for Nerve Problems

Mild electrical pulses can be used to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder and sphincter muscles. Depending on which nerves the doctor plans to treat, these pulses can be given through the vagina, or by using patches on the skin. Other forms of electrical stimulation or neuromodulation are also available.
 
(Female Incontinence Treatment Continued: Page 4)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD