 Aurora Sinai Center for Continence & Pelvic Floor Disorders
13 million Americans suffer with the unexpected loss of urine and nearly 80%
are women
Incontinence, or the loss of bladder or bowel control, is not a disease
but a symptom of other underlying disorders. Women have many misconceptions
regarding incontinence. Many believe it is part of being a woman, having
children or a natural consequence of aging.
In fact, women of all ages, whether they have borne children or not,
experience incontinence.
What contributes to the incontinence?
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Pelvic injury or surgery
- Weakened sphincter muscles
- Neurological conditions
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- High impact physical activities
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Urinary or vaginal infections
- Smoking/chronic coughing
- Straining with the evacuation of stool
- Chronic constipation
Incontinence impacts a woman's self-esteem, affecting both her emotional
well being as well as her independence. Unfortunately many women suffer in
silence either because they are too embarrassed to discuss this issue with
their physician or are fearful that surgery is the only treatment option.
The good news is that after a comprehensive evaluation nearly 60% of
women with incontinence can be successfully treated using non-surgical
techniques.
Center for Continence & Pelvic Floor Disorders
Our caring and sensitive staff will work with you and your health care
provider to improve your quality of life. Our team includes:
- Urogynecologists
- Urologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Colorectal surgeons
- Clinical nurse specialists
We provide diagnosis and treatment for the following disorders:
- Urinary incontinence
- Fecal incontinence
- Chronic constipation
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain disorders
- Painful voiding disorders
Initial evaluation consists of a thorough medical history and physical
examination. Often you will be asked to maintain a voiding or evacuation
diary that provides insights as to factors which may lead to your symptoms.
Depending upon your results, your physician may request additional
testing. These tests may include radiology scans and x-rays or endoscopic
procedures of the bladder and bowel. The physiologic functioning of these
systems may also be evaluated using more specific urodynamic and anorectal
testing techniques.
With the evaluation phase complete, your physician will begin discussion
of treatment options. Treatment often involves the combination of dietary,
medical and behavioral therapies.
Rehabilitation techniques which include neuromuscular re-education of the
pelvic floor muscles reduce incontinence by approximately 80%. This
treatment involves 1-on-1 sessions with a specially trained therapist
who uses computer technology to assist patients as they improve the strength
and coordination of the muscles that maintain bowel and bladder control.
For certain conditions, surgical intervention may be required. However,
recent advances in minimally invasive surgery shorten the inpatient hospital
stay and provide earlier return to normal activities.
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