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Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center

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Treatment Overview

Urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable result of aging. Most women who have it can be helped or cured.

The best treatment depends on the cause of your incontinence and your personal preferences. Treatments include:

Recommended Related to Urinary Incontinence/OAB

Overflow Incontinence

If you find yourself dribbling urine during the day or even wetting the bed at night, you may be experiencing symptoms of overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence is one of several different types of incontinence -- the inability to control urination. Overflow incontinence occurs when you are unable to completely empty your bladder; this leads to overflow, which leaks out unexpectedly. You may or may not sense that your bladder is full. The leakage, which can cause embarrassment and discomfort,...

Read the Overflow Incontinence article > >

  • Behavioral training, such as bladder training and timed urination. For more information, see Other Treatment.
  • Lifestyle changes and pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises. For more information, see Home Treatment.
  • Medicines. For more information, see Medications.
  • Medical devices. For more information, see Other Treatment.
  • Surgery. For more information, see Surgery.

Behavioral training, exercises and lifestyle changes, and medicines are usually tried first. If the problem does not get better, your doctor may try another treatment or do more tests.

When there is more than one cause for incontinence, the most significant cause is treated first, followed by treatment for the secondary cause, if needed.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 11, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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