Incontinence Specialist

Women's Center for Health and Wellness

Gynecologists & Reproductive & Sexual Health Care Providers located in Fort Smith, AR

Urinary incontinence affects about 1 in 3 women over 45. If you’re experiencing accidental urination, you could be suffering from urinary incontinence or another urinary problem. The team at Women’s Center for Health and Wellness, led by Thomas Wood, DO, can help you overcome urinary incontinence and all its associated issues. Book your appointment online or call the Fort Smith, Arkansas, office today.

Incontinence Q & A

What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence is accidental urine leakage, usually in small amounts, when you sneeze, cough, laugh, exercise, or otherwise exert yourself. It’s very common in women but can also develop in men.

In many cases, stress urinary incontinence develops after pregnancy and childbirth. Other factors, including coughing from chronic bronchitis, obesity, aging, smoking, and genetics, can contribute to stress urinary incontinence, as well. 

What is urinary urgency incontinence?

Urinary urgency incontinence is another kind of urinary incontinence in which you suffer from a sudden strong urge to urinate, and resulting urine leakage because you don’t have enough warning time to get to the toilet. 

Mixed continence occurs when you have both stress and urinary urgency incontinence at the same time. 

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Urinary incontinence treatment depends on the kind of incontinence and your symptoms. After a comprehensive evaluation, your provider at the Women’s Center for Health and Wellness can determine the best treatment for you. 

Stress incontinence treatments

Stress incontinence treatments can include pelvic floor exercises, insertable silicone pessary to hold the urethra closed, injections to bulk up the urethra walls, or surgery. Surgical options include mid-urethral slings and urethral suspensions. There aren’t any FDA-approved medications for stress incontinence at this time.

Urgency incontinence treatments

Treatment options can include Botox® injections to calm the bladder, bladder nerve stimulation, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes like drinking less caffeinated beverages. Your provider at the Women’s Center for Health and Wellness may recommend a specific diet for overactive bladder.

If you have an underlying or coexisting condition like pelvic organ prolapse, you might need surgery to repair the damage before starting urinary incontinence treatment. Often, treating the pelvic organ prolapse resolves the incontinence, too. 

You don't have to put up with bladder leakage. For urinary incontinence help from an understanding expert, call the Women’s Center for Health and Wellness or book an appointment online.