By Leah Barker, NP

Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery

Bladder leakage can be a difficult, and sometimes embarrassing problem. It might prevent you from going to exercise class or spending a night out with your friends.

This problem is especially common in women. However, bladder leakage is not a normal part of aging and you do not have to live with it. Bladder leakage can be treated and it does not always require surgery.

There are three different types of incontinence that can cause urine to leak from the bladder:

Stress Incontinence: This type of incontinence occurs when you sneeze, cough, or exercise. It occurs when pressure inside the abdomen pushes urine out through the urethra.

Urge Incontinence: If you stand up and are unable to hold off on emptying your bladder before you can reach the bathroom, you may have urge incontinence. Many women with urge incontinence also need to go the bathroom frequently or rush to get there in time.

Mixed Incontinence: This is a combination of stress and urge incontinence. It’s common for women to suffer from both types of incontinence.

The first step in solving your bladder leakage problem is talking with your primary care provider. Women who need more extensive care are often referred to a Urogynecology specialist (men typically see a urologist for their incontinence problems).

Reliant’s team of board-certified urogynecologists, advanced practitioners and physical therapists offer expert, personalized care to help women solve their incontinence problem. Urogynecologists also treat women with pelvic prolapse (a vaginal bulge), recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder pain, and fecal incontinence.

Reliant’s Urogynecology team is located at the Women’s Center for Pelvic Medicine & Surgery in Westborough. You can learn more about Reliant’s Urogynecology program here.