Treatment for Urinary Incontinence

Behavioral therapies for urinary incontinence treatment are noninvasive, free of side effects, and don't limit further treatment options. These therapies include "retraining" the bladder and doing exercises called Kegel exercises.

 

Bladder retraining helps the bladder to hold urine for longer periods of time. The person is instructed to empty the bladder at scheduled times during the day and then to gradually extend the time between bathroom trips.

 

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 for women and men involve repeatedly tightening, holding, and then relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.

 

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 gain more control over these muscles. Biofeedback can be used with pelvic muscle exercises and electrical stimulation to relieve stress and urge incontinence.

 

Treating Urinary Incontinence With Nonsurgical Devices

The following sections explain methods to treat urinary incontinence that don't involve surgery or medications.

 

Some men and women with stress or urge incontinence benefit from electrical stimulation devices, which help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Mild, painless electrical pulses are sent to these muscles through electrodes that are temporarily placed in the rectum or vagina.