Incontinence Specialist

Why am I incontinent?

Ongoing incontinence has many causes, but one of the most common is aging.

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, reductions in the levels of estrogen that circulate through your body degrade tissues in your vaginal and urinary tract and weaken your pelvic floor muscles. The muscles that hold your urine may not be as strong they once were and can’t hold back urine under pressures such as sneezing.

You can also become incontinent if you’re overweight, pregnant, or have another condition that puts stress on the pelvic floor muscles or your bladder. If you’ve noticed that you need to urinate more frequently, or if your bladder doesn’t empty completely, the nerves that control your bladder may be damaged.

You may also experience temporary incontinence that’s triggered when you eat spicy foods that over-stimulate your bladder. Bladder or urinary tract infections (UTI) or other underlying medical conditions can also cause incontinence.

How do doctors diagnose incontinence?

When you come to The Women’s Centre for incontinence, Dr. Mantri uses a variety of tests to determine the cause of your problem. Depending on your symptoms and history, you may undergo:

• Urinalysis: identify UTIs, kidney problems, or diabetes
• Urine culture: identify bacteria in a UTI
• Blood test: identify kidney disease or chemical imbalances  
• Urodynamic testing: evaluate bladder, urethra, and sphincter
• Cystoscopy: check for growths, blockages, and problems with ureters

How do doctors treat incontinence?

Because incontinence can have several causes, Dr. Mantri personalizes your treatment. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and eliminating diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol, can improve many cases of incontinence. Dr. Mantri may recommend bladder training and strengthening exercises.

Medications, including Botox®, can relax your bladder muscles or correct hormone imbalances. He may recommend a medical device to prevent leakage.

Dr. Mantri uses cystoscopy for both diagnosing and treating some cases of incontinence. A cystoscope consists of a camera on the end of a thin tube that’s inserted into your urethra and bladder. Dr. Mantri watches a magnification of your urinary system on a computer screen while manipulating tiny surgical tools to repair damage or remove blockages.

If your incontinence is caused by tissue atrophy from aging, menopause, or other reasons, Dr. Mantri may recommend the FemTouch vaginal rejuvenation laser. The FemTouch rejuvenates skin and muscle in the genitourinary tract, which often improves incontinence.

To regain control of your bladder, contact Dr. Mantri at The Women’s Centre by phone or online form.