Learn More About How to Treat Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is an issue many women face at some point at their lives, and you should not feel too embarrassed by it to discuss treatments with your doctor. At Honu Women’s Health, our board-certified OBGYN, Dr. Aya Sultan, helps patients feel comfortable discussing issues like urinary incontinence in a judgement-free environment. Pregnancy, childbirth or menopause can cause incontinence, which happens when the bladder muscles suddenly tighten and the sphincter muscles are not strong enough to pinch the urethra shut. While there are many causes and triggers for this issue, there are also many treatments.

Dr. Sultan’s unique background has adeptly prepared her to excel at solving health-related issues that may be keeping you in doctors’ offices asking questions that continue to go unanswered. If you have been unable to put a stop to your urinary incontinence, you’ve found a practice where we will persistently try new treatments until we find something that works for you. We offer a number of treatments for urinary incontinence that have changed the lives of many of our patients.

Reasons for Urinary Incontinence

Reproductive events like pregnancy, childbirth and menopause affect the bladder, urethra and other muscles supporting these organs which can cause urinary incontinence. It can happen to women of any age, but more commonly occurs in older women. The two most common types of urinary incontinence are:

Stress Incontinence

As the most common type of urinary incontinence affecting younger women, stress incontinence happens when there is stress or pressure on the bladder, which can happen when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Sudden movements and physical activity can also cause urine leakage.

Urge Incontinence

This type of incontinence usually happens after a strong, sudden urge to urinate before you can get to a bathroom. It can happen when you don’t expect it, such as during sleep, after drinking water or when you hear or touch running water.

In addition to reproductive events like pregnancy or menopause, urinary incontinence can be worsened by certain medications, caffeine or infections of the urinary tract or bladder. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Sultan holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology which is beneficial to patients who may be experiencing urinary incontinence due to these issues. She can apply her expert knowledge of pharmacological interactions of medicines in the bloodstream to determine if your medications could be exacerbating your urinary incontinence.

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Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

Depending on the reasons for your urinary incontinence, Dr. Sultan may recommend nonsurgical vaginal regeneration with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP for vaginal tissue regeneration works by injecting your body’s own platelets into the upper wall of the vagina and clitoris, which triggers the growth of new tissues, promoting collagen and elastin production inside the vagina and around the clitoris. This expansion due to tissue thickening can lead to less urinary incontinence.

PRP for vaginal regeneration is safe and conducted on an as-needed basis, but patients find the results last from six months to one year. Most people report minimal discomfort with the use of topical anesthesia or ice to numb the area before the injections. After the procedure, patients usually do not experience any pain.

Another possible treatment option for urinary incontinence is diVa® laser therapy, which uses Hybrid Laser Technology to regenerate vaginal tissues. Patients receiving diVa® laser therapy often report that it helps to control urinary incontinence along with addressing other intimate challenges such as decreased lubrication.

For some women, surgical intervention may be the best option for addressing urinary incontinence. Dr. Sultan may recommend a vaginal pessary, which is a removable device that goes inside the vagina to support areas that are affected by pelvic organ prolapse.

We encourage you to schedule an appointment at Honu Women's Health to discuss your struggle with urinary incontinence in a comfortable environment where you will not be rushed. At your appointment, be prepared to share information on the history of your urinary incontinence and under what conditions it occurs. Your key medical information, including conditions you have been treated for in the past and your prescription medication list, will be important to share.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Sultan and make the first step toward reversing your urinary incontinence.