What is Urinary Incontinence?

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Urinary incontinence is a common symptom that women encounter, but some women feel embarrassed talking about it. Urinary incontinence can happen at any age and is often related to pregnancy (both in the antenatal and postnatal periods) or menopause.

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There are three main types of urinary incontinence:

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• Urge incontinence - a sudden urge to pass urine which is difficult to ignore, often leading to frequent urination. This is usually due to overactivity of the bladder wall

• Stress incontinence - leaking urine when coughing / sneezing / laughing or exercising, usually due to weakness in the muscles surrounding the urethra

• Mixed urge and stress incontinence - a combination of the above

 

Our consultants will be able to advise you on how best to investigate and manage your symptoms, as there are a number of conservative and medical, as well as surgical options available. We work closely with The Portland Hospital Women’s Physiotherapy team, as well as referring on for more detailed urogynaecological tests and surgery where necessary.

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What to expect from your appointment:

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• Consultation with one of our female consultant gynaecologists

• Thorough medical history

• Pelvic examination and urine testing

• Transvaginal ultrasound scan, if required

• Referral for further tests such as blood tests, further scans or specialist urogynaecology advice where required

• Prescription arrangement

• Written medical report which can be posted or emailed to yourself and health professional(s) of your choice

• Notification of results of any test