Female incontinence

Nearly 40% of women experience urinary incontinence, particularly after childbirth or menopause. We understand how it can impact women’s lives on a daily basis, from involuntary leaks all day to constant worries about having an ‘accident’ in a public place. Yet many of us simply put up with it. We’re here to help - we offer a range of highly effective options that can help manage and treat female incontinence, so you can regain a sense of control in your life.

What Are the Different Types of Incontinence?

Stress incontinence: This is when movement or physical activity - such as coughing, sneezing or exercise - puts pressure on your bladder causing involuntary leaks of urine. It happens because the muscles surrounding the bladder - the pelvic floor muscles or the sphincter - aren’t strong enough to stop urine from escaping.

Urge incontinence: As the name suggests, this is when you have a frequent urge to pee, even if you’ve only just been to the toilet. Many women find themselves repeatedly getting up in the night to use the bathroom or feel like they may have an ‘accident’ if they don't get to the bathroom in time. Again, weakness in the muscles around the bladder can be responsible, as well as neurological issues connected to bladder control.

Mixed incontinence: Many women experience a combination of stress and urge incontinence, resulting in leaks throughout the day, together with frequent urges to pee.

What Are the Causes of Female Urinary Incontinence?

Involuntary leaks and the frequent urge to urinate can happen at any stage in our lives but are most common after childbirth and as we get older. A decrease in our oestrogen levels during menopause can cause the muscles supporting the bladder to become thinner and weaker, and can lead to incontinence. Women who have had a vaginal delivery may also experience problems with incontinence, due to prolapse or a weakening or straining of the pelvic floor muscles.

Can Female Incontinence Be Treated?

Incontinence is often a highly treatable condition and we find that with first line treatments - such as guided pelvic physiotherapy and lifestyle changes - many of our patients see a significant improvement in their condition. Other women also hugely benefit from personalised HRT or topical oestrogen, or state of the art technology such as Radiofrequency, which can help strengthen the vaginal walls and pelvic floor muscles.

Women shouldn’t have to simply live with incontinence, especially if it is seriously impacting their lives. At The Medical Chambers Kensington we have a team of leading clinicians who are here to support and guide you - they are specialists in their field and combine the latest technology with a fully integrated, holistic approach, to help work out a plan that is right for you.

What is the Treatment for Female Urinary Incontinence?

The right treatment will vary from one woman to another, depending on the cause and the severity of the problem. We also understand that many women, especially those who have had certain types of cancer, may wish to avoid hormone based medication. We therefore have a wide range of approaches to choose from and our specialists will tailor a plan according to your specific needs and lifestyle.

This can include:

Guided physiotherapy
Personalised nutrition advice
Topical oestrogen for those in perimenopause and menopause
HRT, personalised to your body’s requirements
Radiofrequency, non hormonal, non surgical treatment for vaginal symptoms. Particularly suitable for those that have had breast or ovarian cancer
Medications that calm the bladder nerves

Make an Appointment at The Medical Chambers Kensington