Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common condition that affects women of all ages. Whether it’s a small leak during exercise or a sudden, strong urge to urinate, bladder control problems can be frustrating and disruptive.

The good news is that incontinence is treatable. With the right evaluation and care, you can manage symptoms and return to living comfortably and confidently. At Legacy For Women in Henderson, NV, our OBGYN team provides expert diagnosis and treatment for all types of urinary incontinence.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence occurs when bladder control muscles are weakened or not functioning properly. This may be caused by pelvic floor weakness, nerve issues, or changes related to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or aging.

There are several types of urinary incontinence:

• Stress incontinence: Leaking urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising
• Urge incontinence (overactive bladder): A sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by an involuntary leak
• Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence
• Overflow incontinence: The bladder does not empty completely, leading to frequent dribbling

Understanding the type of incontinence you have is the first step toward creating an effective treatment plan.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to urinary incontinence in women, including:

• Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Menopause and decreased estrogen levels
• Obesity
• Chronic coughing or constipation
• Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke
• Previous pelvic surgery

Lifestyle, genetics, and age can also influence bladder health.

When to See a Provider

Occasional leaks are common, but persistent bladder control problems are not something you need to live with. You should schedule a visit at our women’s health clinic in Henderson if you:

• Leak urine during activity or due to sudden urges
• Wake up frequently at night to urinate
• Feel a strong, uncontrollable need to go
• Experience pain or burning with urination
• Avoid exercise, travel, or social events because of fear of leakage

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening and significantly improve quality of life.

Diagnosis

Your provider will begin with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and daily habits. Diagnostic steps may include:

• Physical and pelvic exam
• Urinalysis to check for infection
• Bladder diary to track urination patterns
• Post-void residual test to see how much urine remains in the bladder after urination
• Urodynamic testing or imaging if symptoms are complex

Once we identify the cause and type of incontinence, your OBGYN will recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment Options

Most women experience significant improvement, or even full resolution, of urinary incontinence with proper care.

Lifestyle and behavioral changes:

• Bladder training through scheduled voiding
• Fluid and dietary adjustments
• Weight loss and regular physical activity

Pelvic floor therapy:

• Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles
• Pelvic floor physical therapy for targeted muscle retraining

Medications:

• Prescription medications to relax the bladder or reduce urgency (for urge incontinence)
• Topical vaginal estrogen to strengthen tissue and improve elasticity after menopause

Minimally invasive procedures:

• VTone® or similar non-surgical devices to tone pelvic muscles
• Bladder Botox® injections for overactive bladder
• Urethral bulking agents to help prevent leaks

Surgical options:

• Sling procedures for stress incontinence
• Bladder neck suspension or other reconstructive surgeries

Your provider at Legacy For Women will help you evaluate all available options and select the most effective and comfortable treatment for your lifestyle.

Regain Comfort and Confidence

Urinary incontinence can be frustrating, but it does not have to define your daily life. With expert care from Legacy For Women in Henderson, NV, most patients see major improvements in comfort, confidence, and overall quality of life.

If bladder leaks are disrupting your routine, schedule an appointment today to receive compassionate, personalized care from our experienced OBGYN team.