Bladder Control Specialist

What does bladder control involve?

Bladder control is the ability to prevent the flow of urine until it’s appropriate to release. Many muscles and nerves in your pelvic region work together to control the release of urine. Problems with bladder control may indicate an underlying medical problem that affects these organs.

Who gets bladder control problems?

Women are twice as likely to experience bladder control issues than men. These may be due to how pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause affect a woman’s pelvic muscles and nerves. Bladder control problems are also more common with increasing age.

What are the types of bladder control issues?

A loss of bladder control is also called urinary incontinence. The urology team at Broward Specialty Group treats different types of incontinence, including:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most common type, especially among younger and middle-aged women. This condition causes urine to leak when there’s pressure on the bladder, such as while laughing, sneezing, or exercising.

Urge incontinence

Also called an overactive bladder, urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense need to urinate that leads to urine leakage. This type may cause you to urinate more frequently than usual, even throughout the night.

Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence occurs when your bladder is always full and doesn’t empty entirely. This may be due to an enlarged prostate or spinal cord injury.

Functional incontinence

Functional incontinence is when a condition, such as arthritis or joint pain, prevents you from getting to a bathroom in time.

What causes a loss of bladder control?

A loss of bladder control is a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a standalone condition. Causes of bladder control issues include:

• Weak pelvic muscles
• Overactive bladder muscles
• Excess weight
• Nerve damage around the bladder
• Enlarged prostate

The dedicated professionals at Broward Specialty Group carefully review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam to determine the specific cause of your bladder control issues.

What treatments can help with bladder control?

After they diagnose your condition, the urology team at Broward Specialty Group develops an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your specific needs, treatment for bladder control issues may include:

• Weight loss
• Physical therapy and exercise
• Reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Bladder training exercises
• Electrical stimulation of the nerves that control urine release
• Pelvic floor strengthening exercises
• Bladder control devices like a pessary

If your condition is severe or if non-surgical treatments don’t work, the team at Broward Specialty Group may recommend surgery.

To find relief from bladder control issues, call Broward Specialty Group, or book an appointment online today.