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What is Urinary Incontinence & How is It Classified?4 min read

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MELANIE SCHWARZ

MELANIE SCHWARZ

Melanie Schwarz is a registered nurse who works closely with each of our patients to provide the quality treatment they deserve for optimal results.

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Nobody likes talking about potty business — what happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom! But unfortunately, for some of us, our bodies think otherwise. In 2010, urinary incontinence affected 18.5 million women in the United States. This frustrating and annoying problem can quickly interrupt everyday life, increase embarrassment and anxiety, and just be overall unpleasant. Fortunately, this issue can be diagnosed and fixed! Read below to learn more about urinary incontinence and how you can resolve this issue in your life.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is loss of bladder control. Women’s pelvic muscles support the uterus, small intestine, rectum, and bladder. Stronger pelvic muscles means better control over urinary urges, and weaker pelvic muscles means little control over urinary urges — aka, urinary incontinence. Nerve and muscle irritation from menopause and childbirth are some of the most common reasons why women experience urinary incontinence.

This could manifest itself in multiple ways: accidentally leaking when sneezing/coughing/moving suddenly/laughing/etc., feeling like you have to urinate constantly, consistent dripping that lasts a while after using the restroom, being unable to hold in urine for long, or random leakage throughout the day. 

It’s important to remember that urinary incontinence is not a disease or illness,  but rather a symptom of something else. Sometimes, urinary incontinence is a result of a bladder infection or a symptom of a more serious issue which needs treatment. Urinary incontinence could also be the result of something as simple as constipation, an improper diet. Neurological problems can sometimes contribute to urinary incontinence. Other times, persistent urinary incontinence is the result of aging or childbirth. While urinary continence is not dangerous, it is always best to discuss your incontinence with a doctor to help pinpoint what could be causing the problem and possible solutions. 

How is Urinary Incontinence Classified?

Urinary incontinence is difficulty controlling the bladder, resulting in urine leakage. There are multiple types of ways to classify urinary incontinence:

  • Stress incontinence: This type of urinary incontinence is one of the most common. Stress incontinence usually manifests itself as leakage when pressure is applied on the bladder through coughing, sneezing, exercising, lifting, laughing, and other sudden movements. 
  • Overflow incontinence: This type of incontinence entails constant dripping, dribbling, and leakage of urine even after using the toilet, sometimes throughout the day. 
  • Urge incontinence: This type of incontinence involves feeling the sudden urge to urinate — then losing bladder control and leaking. This often results in feeling the need to use the bathroom very frequently. 
  • Functional incontinence: This type of incontinence involves another medical or mental factor inhibiting the ability to properly urinate. This could include not being physically able to make it to the bathroom in time due to a disability. 
  • Transient Incontinence: Incontinence caused by something healing, like childbirth or injury. It usually is manifested as one of the other types of incontinence.
  • Mixed incontinence: A mixture of the different types of incontinence. 
While women can generally self-diagnose which category their incontinence fits in, it’s always best to double-check with a doctor. Fortunately all of these categories of urinary incontinence are treatable, so urinary incontinence doesn’t have to be a constant struggle.
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DiVa for Urinary Incontinence

DiVa Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation uses Hybrid Fractional Laser (HFL) technology to target and strengthen the vaginal walls and replace them with stronger, tighter, and more robust lining. The procedure takes under 10 minutes to perform, is minimally invasive, and has an 80-90% success rate among women. Depending on the woman, 1-3 procedures is generally recommended. By strengthening the vaginal walls, it is much easier to control urine and urinary urges. If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, DiVa is a great option to efficiently and effectively help solve your incontinence! 

Not only does DiVa use laser treatments to safely and successfully help solve urinary incontinence in women, but it also helps improve sexual function and vaginal dryness. By strengthening the walls with new, healthy, stronger lining, the vaginal canal is rejuvenated.  

While there are many laser treatments being promoted for women’s intimate health, Aesthetica prides itself in using the most proven and safest manufactures and technology to address women’s needs. DiVa has a fantastic track record and has helped many women with urinary incontinence and vaginal rejuvenation. 

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in learning more about how DiVa can help you treat your urinary incontinence, we invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.

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