Bladder Control Protection, Remedies, Devices, Surgery

Bladder Control Treatments

There are a number of possible bladder control problem treatments. Here's a brief description of some of the most common. Keep in mind, your doctor may recommend a combination of bladder control treatments or products. Also remember, you may have to try several different options or combinations to find what works best for you.

Bladder control protection Absorbent pads, panty liners, and "adult diapers"  are usually the first options that occur to most people for bladder control protection. These are easy to find and easy to get. They ease the discomfort, inconvenience or embarrassment of losing bladder control. They don't solve the root cause but they offer an option for those who have attempted other bladder control treatments without success.

Catheters are another bladder control protection option. A catheter is a soft tube that fits into your urethra that drains your bladder. Your doctor may recommend one of these and give you instructions about how to use it and clean it for reuse.

Pads and catheters are often helpful forms of bladder control protection you can use while you're working with your doctor on other bladder control treatments.

Bladder control meds Medications or "meds"  are sometimes used in combination with behavioral modifications to control bladder problems. Such bladder control meds include the following.

Anticholinergics Oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), darifenacin (Enablex) solifenacin (Vesicare) and trospium (Sanctura). Side effects with these medications are generally limited to a dry mouth.

Topical estrogen This can be helpful to women because it tones and rejuvenates tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas.

Imipramine Also known as Tofranil. This is a type of antidepressant that may be used to treat certain kinds of incontinence.

Bladder control devices There are several medical bladder control devices that can be used by women. 

Urethral inserts These are available by prescription. They're similar to tampons and they fit into the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the bladder.

Pessary Your doctor may prescribe a pessary (pronounced PES-uh-ree). This device is a ring that's placed which helps hold up the bladder. It will help prevent the leakage of urine.

Bladder control surgery There are a number of bladder control surgery options available.

Artificial urinary sphincter This usually works for men who have been treated for prostate problems. It's shaped like a ring and is placed around the neck of the bladder. The goal is to keep your urinary sphincter shut tight until you're ready to urinate. When that time comes, you press a valve that's placed under your skin. This deflates the ring, which is filled with fluid, allowing urine to flow.

A sling In this procedure, your doctor constructs something that works like a hammock sling around your bladder neck and urethra. He or she will use strips of your body's tissue, synthetic material or mesh to accomplish this. The sling helps keep the urethra closed. There are a number of different ways to build the sling, and the procedure is generally effective.

Bladder neck suspension The bladder neck is an area of muscle where the urethra meets the bladder. This procedure, which requires an abdominal incision under general anesthesia, helps support both the bladder and urethra.

Other bladder control remedies Miscellaneous bladder control remedies include the following.

Radiofrequency therapy Some doctors have used this bladder control remedy with success. It involves using the energy from radio frequency waves to heat tissue in the lower urinary tract. When the tissue heals, it is usually more firm. This helps reduce leaks.

Botulinum toxin type A This is also known by the general public as "Botox." Injections may help those with overactive bladder. Talk to your doctor about this one. It holds promise, but more research needs to be done.

Bulking agent injections This bladder control remedy involves injecting a substance like collagen, carbon-coated zirconium beads or coaptite into tissue surrounding the urethra. These substances are known as bulking agents or bulking material. They may helps keep the urethra closed, which reduces leaks. The biggest problem with this option is the length of time (as much as 18 months) and the number of injections needed to do the job.

Sacral nerve stimulation This bladder control treatment option employs a device that's similar to a pacemaker. The device is implanted under the skin in the area of the buttocks, where it it connected to the sacral nerve. The sacral nerve runs from your lower spinal cord to your bladder, and it plays an important role in bladder control. The device emits painless electrical pulse which stimulates the nerve and helps control the bladder. See bladder pacemaker.

Electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles is also a possibility. This sounds like the least appealing therapy to most beople, but it often works. It involves placing electrodes into your rectum or vagina and running a mild electrical current through them. Electrical stimulation can be effective, but it sometimes takes several months to work.

Behavioral modifications This involves training yourself to delay urination as long as possible. Most doctors recommend holding back for about 10 minutes from the time you begin to "feel the need." The idea here is to train yourself to lengthen the time between trips to the bathroom rather than responding immediately to the sensation that you need to relieve yourself.

Another remedy employs "double voiding." In other words, once you urinate, you wait a few minutes and then try again. This helps you empty your bladder more completely so you don't need to return to the bathroom as often. This strategy means scheduling your bathroom visits. You "make an appointment with yourself" to try to urinate on a schedule.

It's important to manage food and fluid intake. You may need to cut back on drinks like alcohol and caffeine, which, as mentioned above, are diuretics. Certain foods also have a high water content and it's a good idea to be aware that they'll fill your bladder more quickly.

Exercises There are certain exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles that help control urination. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about these options.

Summary This article has briefly covered the most common bladder control treatments. As mentioned on our introductory page on bladder control problems, it sometimes takes a combination of bladder control protection products, meds, devices, surgery and other bladder control remedies to accomplish your treatment goals. You'll' need to talk to your doctor, and it may take a little time to figure out which bladder control treatments work best for you.

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