Incontinence, whether urinary or fecal, is a challenging subject to discuss. Many feel embarrassed about their condition, but the truth is that urinary and fecal incontinence are experienced by women of all ages and different walks of life. Excellent treatment options exist for those ready to pursue help. If you’re worried you may be suffering from incontinence or know and are ready to get help, contact us today.
Types of Female Incontinence
Urinary
Functional Bladder Incontinence in Women: Functional bladder incontinence or functional urinary incontinence occurs when a woman recognizes the need to urinate, but is unable to access a toilet due to a separate medical or environmental issue. Though urinary incontinence occurs more often in women, it is not an ordinary part of aging. Common causes of functional bladder incontinence in women include but are not limited to impaired vision, cognitive issues, and medication side effects. Learn more and get help with functional bladder incontinence here.
Overflow Bladder Incontinence in Women: Overflow bladder incontinence occurs in women when an individual is unable to completely empty her bladder. While more common in men, causes of overflow bladder incontinence include medications, an enlarged prostate, nerve problems and more. Learn more about male overflow bladder incontinence here.
Pelvic Prolapse in Women: Female pelvic prolapse, also known as pelvic organ prolapse, refers to the bulging or dropping of the rectum or bladder in women. While most common in women, pelvic prolapse does happen to men as well. Symptoms such as heaviness or fullness, trouble emptying your bowel or bladder, and pelvic pressure are all common in women. Learn more about pelvic prolapse here.
Urge Incontinence in Women: Urge incontinence in women refers to the urge to have to urinate so badly that the individual cannot reach the toilet. Urge incontinence is triggered by bladder spasms and most commonly takes place in older women. Causes include injuries, bladder inflammation, bladder stones and more. Get help and learn more about urge incontinence and treatment options today.
Reflex Urinary Incontinence in Women: Reflex urinary incontinence is caused by the same bladder spasms as urge incontinence, but usually results in more leakage. Reflex urinary incontinence in women can be related to neurological issues and other underlying conditions. Learn more about reflex urinary incontinence here.
Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women: Caused by involuntary physical stress or pressure placed on the bladder, stress urinary incontinence is most common in women. Urinary leakage takes place during activities such as sneezing, coughing, or laughing. Learn more and get help with stress urinary incontinence here.
Mixed incontinence in Women: Mixed incontinence refers to a combination of stress and urge incontinence. More information about mixed urinary incontinence can be found here.
Fecal
Double Incontinence in Women: Double incontinence or dual incontinence is used to describe individuals who suffer from both urinary and fecal incontinence problems. Double incontinence occurs equally in women and men, but is less common than other types of incontinence. Symptoms include problems such as constipation, loss of urine and stool, flatulence and more. Learn more about double incontinence here.
Fecal Impaction in Women: Fecal impaction, also known as encopresis, refers to a condition in which stool builds up in the rectum or colon. The stool then becomes hard and impacted, causing loose stool to leak out around it. Learn more about fecal impaction here.
Flatus Bowel Incontinence in Women: Flatus bowel incontinence in women refers to the inability to determine whether a feeling of fullness in the rectum is caused by the need to pass a stool or flatulence. This can lead to individuals soiling themselves. Learn more about symptoms and treatment options for flatus bowel incontinence in women here.
Passive Bowel Incontinence in Women: Passive bowel incontinence in women refers to a medical condition in which the brain does not send warning signals to the individual that the rectum is full. Passive bowel incontinence is very common and highly treatable. Learn more about treatment options and symptoms here.
Rectal Leakage in Women: Rectal leakage or rectal incontinence refers to a medical condition in which the sphincter muscle does not function properly due to nerve issues, causing individuals to defecate with little to no warning. Learn more about rectal leakage symptoms and treatment options here.
Urge Bowel Incontinence in Women: Urge bowel incontinence refers to a medical condition in which fecal matter is released from the rectum despite the attempt to retain it. It is most common among women. Urges are often very sudden and the individual may not be able to reach the restroom. Learn more about symptoms and treatment options for urge bowel incontinence here.
Female Incontinence Diagnosis Methods
Various medical procedures and tests can be utilized to diagnose urinary and fecal incontinence issues in women. Explore the following to learn more about each of these common procedures including some at-home analysis options:
Anorectal Manometry
Colonoscopy
Cytoscopy
Post-void Residual Measurement
Upper Endoscopy
Ureteroscopy
Urinalysis
Voiding Diary
Female Treatment Methods
A variety of treatment methods exist to help with incontinence issues in women. Select a treatment option below to learn more and get help today.
Botox
Dietary Modification
Physical Therapy for Fecal Incontinence
InterStim
Hemorrhoid Banding
Medication
Biofeedback Physical Therapy
Urethral Sling
Axonics
Sacral Nerve Stimulation