Urinary Incontinence:

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary, unexpected loss of urine from the urinary tract, such that a patient wets his or her pants. The condition can occur both in males and females. In females, it is usually the result of some relaxation of the muscles of the pelvic floor or incompetence of the urinary sphincter; while in males, it most commonly is a result of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Neurological conditions can also cause urinary incontinence and these include stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. Fortunately, numerous treatment modalities (both medical and surgical) are available for the treatment of this condition such that most patients do not need to suffer the embarrassment of urinary incontinence. The Section of Urology provides all diagnostic and treatment options for the treatment of all aspects of urinary incontinence.

MEDICAL THERAPIES:

Various drugs do exist for treatment of the different conditions of the urinary tract that might be responsible for urinary incontinence. These include drugs such as Ditropan, Detrol, as well as some newer drugs that are currently being investigated and the Section of Urology at the Guthrie Clinic is involved in a multi-institutional international study investigating such drugs in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence for females.

 

AGENTS: Contagen or Collagen and Durasphere

These are agents that are injected around the urethra in a minimally invasive procedure done under intravenous sedation that add some resistance to the outflow of urine. These can be effective in certain conditions responsible for urinary incontinence.

 

INTRAURETHRAL PLUGS: Reliance and Femsoft devices

These are urethral plugs that can be inserted for mild cases of urinary incontinence and removed by the patient at the time of voiding.

NON-SURGICAL THERAPIES: Biofeedback, as well as electromagnetic stimulation

BLADDER SUSPENSION PROCEDURES AND PUBOVAGINAL SLINGS:

These are surgical procedures that elevate the bladder in certain conditions responsible for urinary incontinence that can be performed to correct the condition.

 

ARTIFICIAL URINARY SPHINCTER:

This is an implantable artificial device that functions as an artificial sphincter that can be implanted around the urethra in both males and females for treatment of certain forms of urinary incontinence.