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What Incontinence Is

Incontinence is when you are not able to control your bladder or bowel as you once did.

Incontinence may be partial or complete and may be temporary or a continuing condition.

Treatment For Incontinence

Incontinence is treatable. Speak with your doctor or one of the following health care professional who specialize in incontinence:

  • Urologists: A surgeon who specializes in the urinary conditions of men and women
  • Geriatrician: A doctor who specializes in treating older people
  • Gynecologist: A doctor who specializes in the reproductive health of women
  • Gastroenterologist: A doctor who specializes in problems of the intestinal system
  • Some nurse specialists, psychologist, physical and occupational therapists and behavioral scientists.

You can find specialists in your area through the National Association For Continence, see: www.NAFC.org offsite link.  NAFC also has a variety of helpful products.

Devices That Help With Incontinence

There a variety of devices which have proved to be helpful in managing incontinence. One useful source for obtaining these devices is National Association For Continence: www.nafc.org offsite link

For men:

  • Incontinence pads: Pads are slipped into underpants or shorts with additional padding to catch any dribbles. Incontinence pads are available at most drugstores and on line.
  • Disposable diapers: Diapers are worn under pants, shorts or skirts. They are available at most drugstores and on line.
  • External collection devices: Alternatives include:
    • Devices which are similar to a condom and are generally made of rubber. They are pulled over the penis and held in place by a band around the waist. A drainage tube connects to a collection bag, which is secured to the leg by a band.
    • Male External Catheters, particularly for retracted penises. To see a selection, go to the web site of www.biorelief.com offsite link which also sells them. Search on Male External Catheters.
  • A penile clamp: Controls the flow of urine. Care must be taken not to restrict blood flow through the penis.
  • Small baggies can be filled with either a pad or tissue and secured around the penis with a twist wire.

For women:

  • Incontinence pads: Pads are slipped into underpants or shorts with additional padding to catch any dribbles. Incontinence pads are available at most drugstores and on line.
  • Disposable diapers: Diapers are worn under pants, shorts or skirts. They are available at most drugstores and on line.
  • External collection devices: A female urinary pouch (a Female External Catheter) and an indwelling urethral catheter. You can see a Female External Catheter at the web site of www.biorelief.com offsite link which also sells them. Search on Female External Catheters

 When To Use What Devices

While recovering from treatment, it is advisable to only use a pad or disposable diaper. Both are available at a pharmacy or grocery store. Your doctor may have free samples to try. Other devices hurt recovery of urinary control because necessary muscle control is not developed.

Other Steps To Take

Until urinary control has returned to an acceptable level, do not force fluids. Stay away from caffeine in all forms. Don’t get discouraged. Return to normal takes time. Focus on the large percentage of people who do return to normal.

There are exercises you can do to strengthen the external sphincter and speed up your recovery of urinary control.  To learn more, click here. 

If incontinence continues long term

Speak with your doctor. He or she will want a detailed history of your problem in addition to giving you a physical exam.

To create the history, keep track of how often you urinate, when you leak, what activities you were doing when leaking started, and how many pads you use. To help keep track, Survivorship A to Z provides a Symptoms Diary

Depending on the cause, the doctor may prescribe behavioral techniques or medications. Behavior modification techniques can take as much time as 1 hour long sessions a week for 8 to 12 weeks. This training may not be covered by insurance.