Chapter 8: What can be done? Treatments for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse

You have learned a lot about your lower urinary tract looks and functions and what can go wrong in its daily performance. You decided to go to the doctor’s office and have him evaluate your bladder control problems. You now know what type of incontinence you have.

If you have made it so far it is probably because your bladder control problems are severe enough to bother you and influence your overall quality of life and yes, you want something to be done. You want your bladder control problems to be solved or at least improved.

The question is what can be done and should you go for it.

Again the key is knowledge. You will need to know all the options available, the treatment modalities available, their success and failure rates, and the risks involved in each type of therapy. Your doctor, especially if you chose him carefully, will be able to help you, but the final decision is yours. When you decide what treatment suits you most you and your doctor will have to consider the following:

The type and degree of bladder control problem;

The impact your bladder control problem has on your daily life;

Your general health and ability to undertake each of the treatment modalities suitable to your situation;

Financial and practical matters like health insurance coverage, availability of professionals able to provide treatment in your area, and of time.

Once the type of incontinence has been defined as either stress incontinence or overactive bladder it is usually easier to decide on the proper management. If you have mixed incontinence with components of both stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder the treatment may be more challenging for you and for your doctor alike.

The treatment of urinary incontinence can be broadly divided into non-surgical or conservative treatment and surgical treatment where an operation is performed.