Involuntary loss of urine is often underreported and undertreated.
Women are five times more likely than men to be affected by this. They sometimes do not tell their doctor about their symptoms of urinary incontinence because they feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Urinary incontinence can be the result of various factors. Infection can be the cause of transient urine loss and is easily treated and reversed.
Persistent incontinence most often is the result of urge incontinence. This is also known as overactive bladder or irritable bladder. This often is the loss of urine, preceded by a strong urge to void. A common complaint is a frequent urination both during the day and at night.
Stress incontinence is the second most common type of incontinence. This is characterized by loss of urine with increases in abdominal pressure. Simply laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercise may trigger this.
Overflow incontinence may be related to over-distention of the bladder and may result in constant dribbling of urine. Interstitial cystitis can present as chronic pelvic pain, urgency, urinary frequency and even painful intercourse.
Hamptons Gynecology and Obstetrics wants you to know various treatment modalities are available. Bladder retraining, biofeedback therapy, pessaries, medications, and surgical procedures can help improve or prevent incontinence and hence improve the quality of life.
Transobtorator Sling Procedure
Vito Alamia, MD brings a new treatment for urine leakage to Southampton Hospital.
Dr. Alamia was trained in the surgical treatment for incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine. He has a special interest in the treatment of incontinence and is helping patients at our Southampton office. The procedure, called Transobtorator Sling Procedure, was developed in France. It's faster than earlier treatments and is minimally invasive. According to Dr. Alamia, "Women don't need to suffer the embarrassment of urine leakage. There are simple, minimally invasive outpatient procedures that can effectively cure the problem. Many of my patients leave the outpatient center on the same day."
Incontinence affects over 55 million people in the United States today, 85% of whom are women. If you suffer from involuntary urine leakage or know someone who does, Dr. Alamia may be able to help. He is a board-certified gynecologist who graduated from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and practices in all four of our offices. For more information or to set up an appointment, give us a call today.
Urodynamic Testing
Hamptons Gynecology and Obstetrics offers urodynamic testing in our Hampton Bays, Riverhead and Southampton offices.
This is a simple, painless study that allows your provider to evaluate any problems with your bladder.
Your provider may recommend you for this test for one of the following common problems:
- You may leak urine
- Your bladder may not empty completely
- You may have persistent urinary infections
- You may have to urinate frequently or urgently
- Your urine stream may be intermittent or weak
The test takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. It does not involve any sedating medication and does not require any out of the ordinary assistance getting home.
The study is performed by a trained clinician. A small tube is placed in your bladder while another tube may be placed in your vagina. These tubes will be used to fill your bladder with a sterile solution and to measure any pressure generated in your bladder at the same time. You may be asked to report any sensations you feel during this time and to cough, bear down, or stand.
The results of this test will allow your provider to decide on a treatment that is best for your specific type of problem. By doing this, your chance of a successful outcome increases.