Treatment options for urinary incontinence

Your healthcare provider may suggest different ways to help with incontinence, such as:

• Pelvic floor exercises
• Fluid management (NOT recommended)
• Lifestyle changes
• Bladder training
• Medications
• Vaginal pessary
• Urethral inserts
• Sling procedure
• Injectable bulking agent
• Retropubic Colposuspension
• Inflatable Artificial Sphincter

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Now, before we dive into each treatment option for urinary incontinence it’s important to identify what is urinary incontinence and how to identify what type of urinary incontinence you’re struggling with…

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What is urinary incontinence?

When you leak any amount of urine while coughing, laughing, sneezing, running, or simply standing in line at the grocery store–you’re experiencing urinary incontinence. There are five types of urinary incontinence. We’ve discussed the most common type (stress incontinence).

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Five types of Urinary Incontinence:

• Stress Incontinence
• Urge Incontinence
• Overflow Incontinence
• Functional Incontinence
• Mixed Incontinence

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Dealing with urinary incontinence is not uncommon. The spectrum of severity varies from occasional leakage during a cough or sneeze to the urgency of needing to urinate so suddenly and intensely that reaching a toilet becomes very difficult.

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How to treat urinary incontinence (medically and naturally)

As mentioned in the intro, you don’t have to feel alone in this struggle. More than 50% of women report urinary incontinence (and that’s only including the women talking about it). Now, let’s get into the treatment options for urinary incontinence.

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How to naturally treat (or cure) urinary incontinence:

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: These are workouts for the muscles that help control urine flow. A healthcare provider or physical therapist can guide you through exercises, known as Kegel exercises, to strengthen these muscles.
• Fluid Management: Your provider might advise on when and how much you should drink during the day. However, it's important NOT to reduce fluid intake too much, as dehydration is not good. If anything, we encourage women to increase fluids because of all of the health benefits. Reducing water intake is not a good option.
• Lifestyle Changes: Making healthy choices like quitting smoking, losing extra weight, or treating a chronic cough can reduce the risk of incontinence and improve symptoms.
• Bladder Training: If you have mixed incontinence, your provider may suggest a schedule for using the bathroom. Going more often might reduce urge incontinence episodes. However, we know that this is not a possible option for many women with certain jobs and responsibilities such as meetings, client services, and more.

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Healthy habits to help with urinary incontinence:

• Lose extra weight: If you're carrying too much weight, shedding some pounds can ease the pressure on your bladder and pelvic muscles. Consult your doctor (or schedule an appointment with us at Epiphany Women’s Health) for weight loss advice.
• Eat more fiber: Keep bowel movements regular and soft to reduce strain on your pelvic floor muscles. Include high-fiber foods like whole grains, legumes, whole fruits, and veggies in your diet to prevent constipation.
• Decrease sugar & caffeine: Some foods and drinks can irritate your bladder. If chocolate, coffee, tea, or carbonated beverages make you urinate more, try cutting back on them, especially on days when you want to avoid leakage.
• Quit smoking: Smoking can cause a chronic cough, worsening stress incontinence symptoms. It's also linked to bladder cancer, so quitting can improve your overall bladder health.

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Can medications be used to treat urinary incontinence?

There are over 20 prescription medications available to treat urinary incontinence. Several of these medications cause dehydration and drowsiness. At Epiphany Women’s Health, we do not recommend the use of medications for urinary incontinence. There is a far more effective treatment option that does not involve the risk or symptoms that can be caused by medication taken for urinary incontinence.

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Although this is our opinion, every woman has unique circumstances and you should consult your provider.

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Devices used to treat urinary incontinence in women:

• Vaginal Pessary: A specialized ring-shaped device is placed by your provider to support the bladder base, preventing leaks during activities. It's a good non-surgical option but needs regular cleaning.
• Urethral Inserts: This tampon-like device inserted into the urethra acts as a barrier to prevent leakage. It's usually used for specific activities and can be worn throughout the day.

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Surgery and procedures to treat urinary incontinence

• Sling Procedure: The surgeon creates a sling or hammock using the person's tissue, synthetic material, or donor tissue to support the urethra. This common procedure is also used for men with mild stress incontinence.
• Injectable Bulking Agents: Polysaccharides or gels such as Bulkamid are injected to bulk up tissues around the urethra, improving sphincter closure.
• Retropubic Colposuspension: Sutures attached to ligaments lift and support tissues near the bladder neck. This surgery can be done laparoscopically or with an abdominal incision.
• Inflatable Artificial Sphincter: This surgically implanted device, mainly for men, replaces the function of the sphincter. It includes a cuff, tubes, and a pressure-regulating balloon, providing better control.

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The most effective way to treat urinary incontinence

The O-Shot® (Platelet-Rich Plasma injection) for urinary incontinence

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Traditionally, surgical procedures were common for managing stress incontinence, but the O-Shot® offers an alternative approach. Developed over a decade ago, the O-Shot® involves injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from the woman's own blood, back into her body. PRP, containing highly active growth factors, stimulates cell and tissue regeneration, benefiting the area around the urethra that is causing stress incontinence.

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How the O-Shot® works:

Platelet-rich plasma is obtained by separating blood into its components, plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. A centrifuge (spinning device) is used to separate the blood into three parts. The plasma and platelets are removed via a syringe and then used for the treatment. The injection, administered near the urethra (pee tube), prompts the bone marrow to create new blood vessels and tissues. Over several days, weeks, and months, this new tissue develops, potentially treating urinary incontinence.

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Urinary incontinence is caused by weakening tissue around the urethra. If your muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support the bladder have lost strength or tension, the bladder and urethra are unsupported, which leads to leakage.

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The O-Shot® helps create fresh, revitalized tissue that supports the bladder and urethra. This gives women better control and helps reduce urinary incontinence.

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FAQs About O-Shot®:

Is the O-Shot® FDA approved? 

Procedures are not approved or disapproved by the FDA. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) monitors the safety of foods and drugs produced in the United States. 

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Since the O-Shot® is neither a food nor a drug the FDA is not involved, in the same way, that hysterectomies, c-sections, and PRP injections for sports-related injuries are not “approved by the FDA”. With that in mind, the procedure itself is not FDA-approved, but the kits used for the O-Shot® contain FDA-approved components.

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Can anyone administer the O-Shot®? 

No. Proper training and certification are required to administer the O-Shot® safely. Every provider at Epiphany Women’s Health is certified to administer the O-Shot®. You can verify this by visiting the Cellular Medicine Association.

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Next steps to treat urinary incontinence

If you find it uncomfortable to talk about incontinence, remember that more than 50% of women are struggling with urinary incontinence. You’re not alone. When you’re at Epiphany Women’s Health, you’re in a judgment-free zone. We are here to get you back on top of your game and living your best life. No more peeing your pants!

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If you’re ready to take the first step toward treating urinary incontinence, please book an appointment online today!