Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) is when a person unintentionally leaks urine. While common, this condition can cause embarrassing disruptions throughout your day. Board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner Amanda Phelps-Jones, WHNP-BC, treats your symptoms with individualized urinary incontinence care at her self-named practice in Evansville, Indiana. To address your incontinence issues, call the women’s health practice or schedule an appointment online today. 

Which type of urinary incontinence do I have?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common, with over 25 million adults in America experiencing some kind of UI. This condition causes you to leak urine involuntarily (and often at inconvenient times). The issue can range from infrequent to multiple times in a day. There are several types of urinary incontinence.

Amanda may diagnose you with:

Stress incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence causes urine leakage during physical strain. This includes coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects.

Urge incontinence

If you have urge incontinence, you feel intense and abrupt urges to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine.  Women with urge urinary incontinence often complain of leaking of urine when:

• doing dishes 
• any running water
• as soon as she puts the key into the door and turns the knob/door handle

Overflow incontinence

If you have overflow incontinence, you experience frequent urine leakage after your bladder doesn't empty completely during bathroom visits. 

You may have only one type of urinary incontinence, or you might experience several types with varying degrees of frequency. This is known as mixed incontinence.

What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence isn't a disease but a symptom. Amanda thoroughly reviews your symptoms and evaluates your health to determine what's causing your UI. 

For instance, vaginal delivery can weaken the muscles you use to control your bladder. It can also effect nerves in the region. These changes can cause your bladder, uterus, small intestine or rectum to drop (prolapse) or move from their usual positions and protrude into the vagina, leading to incontinence.

You can also develop incontinence from:

• Age-related changes
• Menopause and associated estrogen fluctuations
• Pelvic surgeries (e.g., hysterectomy)
• Urinary tract infections
• Neurological disorders
  

Some instances of incontinence are temporary, while others are more permanent and challenging to treat. 

How can I manage my urinary incontinence?

Effective incontinence treatment depends on the type, severity and cause of your symptoms.

After careful evaluation, Amanda might suggest:

• Adjusting your fluid consumption
• Medications for an overactive bladder
• Pelvic floor exercises or therapy
• Topical estrogen cream to regulate a hormone imbalance (often from menopause)
  

If there is a minimally invasive procedure that will improve your symptoms, she will gladly discuss all of your options for treatment.  In some cases, urinary incontinence goes away without treatment. Amanda monitors your progress during regular appointments to ensure your treatment is effective.

To schedule an appointment with Amanda Phelp-Jones, WHNP, BC, call the office or reach out online today.