Stress Urinary Incontinence – Doing What You Want
By Dr. Howard Goldstein, Dr. Babak Vakili and Dr. Emily Saks
Do you have to cross your legs when you cough? Are you holding back your laughter on that really funny joke? Do you avoid pushing your limits when you exercise because of a fear of leakage? Do you dread those coughing spells? If so, then you may have stress urinary incontinence.
Stress incontinence is leakage that happens when the bladder is stressed. The “stress” in stress incontinence is not the psychological kind, but a physical problem. Some triggers for leakage may include coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercise.
Stress incontinence is not actually a bladder problem. Instead, it is a problem with the urethra – the short tube that drains the bladder to the outside. The urethra also serves to prevent involuntary emptying of the bladder when it fills. There are two elements of how the urethra functions that allows it to do this.
The first is the support elements of the urethra – the ligaments that help anchor the urethra to the pubic bone and the vagina underneath that provides a stable backboard. If these ligaments become damaged or the vagina becomes more elastic, the urethra can sag in response to stress, leading to incontinence. This often occurs after childbirth.
The first is the support elements of the urethra – the ligaments that help anchor the urethra to the pubic bone and the vagina underneath that provides a stable backboard. If these ligaments become damaged or the vagina becomes more elastic, the urethra can sag in response to stress, leading to incontinence. This often occurs after childbirth.
The second element is the muscular sphincter, the muscular portion that squeezes tight to prevent loss of urine with increases in pressure. Injuries or damage to this muscular area can also lead to stress incontinence.
Stress incontinence is most commonly the result of a combination of support defects and diminished sphincter function.
Although stress incontinence can affect as many as 50 percent of women by the age of 50, it can start as early as one’s teenage years. Genetics plays a strong role in the development of stress incontinence even though no specific gene has been identified. Other acquired factors such as childbirth, aging, menopause, chronic straining or hysterectomy can contribute to developing stress incontinence.
Treatments for stress incontinence have excellent results. Guided Kegel exercises – pelvic area exercises that strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor – can yield improvements in as many as 80 percent of women. Surgery for incontinence has evolved greatly over the last two decades from invasive procedures that were not terribly durable to the current suburethral sling procedure.
The suburethral mini-sling procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient surgery that offers outstanding and durable results. It requires mild sedation, a small incision and takes about 20 minutes to perform. Success rates can reach as high as 95 percent. There is little down time afterwards with patients returning to normal activity within one week.
These “Mini-slings” have been performed in various forms since 1997 and have stood the test of time. There are now numerous mild modifications that may or may not have specific advantages for you. Our thorough evaluation process will allow us to choose the proper technique to optimize your results.
If you have stress incontinence feel free to make an appointment at The Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery. The physicians are fellowship trained experts in urinary incontinence. We offer an array of diagnostic testing and treatment options that can diagnose the problem and accurately treat the condition in an effort to give you back the quality of life you have been missing.
Babak Vakili, M.D., is the director of the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery. Dr. Vakili is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans, LA.
Howard B. Goldstein, D.O., MPH, is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. He currently serves as the Director of Research and Education for the Division of Urogynecology.
Emily K. Saks, M.D., MSCE, is a urogynecologist with the Christiana Care Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery. Dr. Saks completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia and has completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
The Christiana Care Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery is located in Suite 1208 of Medical Arts Pavilion 2, on the campus of Christiana Hospital in Newark. Appointments are also available at the Christiana Care Center for Women’s Health, 3706 Kennett Pike in Greenville, or 100 S. Main Street, Suite 215 in Smyrna. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 302-623-4055 or visit www.christianacare.org/urogynecology.
