Female Urinary Incontinence

Accidental urine leakage, whether a small amount or complete wetting, can have a significant negative impact on a woman’s quality of life.

  • Overview
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Arrange a Consultation

    • Overview of Female Urinary Incontinence

    Urinary incontinence, the unintentional loss of urine, is a common problem affecting millions of women worldwide. It can occur at any age and significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social isolation and even depression.

    While it can be debilitating, it’s important to remember that it’s often treatable.

    female urinary incontinence

    What Increases the Risk of Incontinence in Women?

    Several factors can contribute to urinary incontinence in women:

    • Pregnancy and childbirth: Can weaken pelvic floor muscles and damage nerves.
    • Obesity: The extra weight increases the pressure on the bladder.
    • Pelvic surgery: Hysterectomy, for example, can damage surrounding tissues.
    • Menopause: Decreased oestrogen levels can weaken the pelvic floor.
    • Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Can irritate the bladder and urethra, making incontinence worse.
    • Neurological conditions: Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis can disrupt bladder control signals and give patients a “neurogenic” bladder.
    • Constipation: Straining can weaken pelvic floor muscles.
    • Excessive alcohol or caffeine: Can irritate the bladder.

    If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, please contact The Urology Partnership.

    Our dedicated consultants who specialise in this area can help you identify the type of incontinence, determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options. These may include lifestyle changes, medications or surgery.

    Types and Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

    • Stress Incontinence: This is the most common type, often caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles or damage to the urethra. Activities like coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects can trigger leaks.
    • Urge Incontinence: Also called an overactive bladder, this condition involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine.
    • Mixed Incontinence: This is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
    • Overflow Incontinence: This occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to frequent leaking. It can be caused by an obstruction in the bladder or a weakened bladder muscle.
    • Total Incontinence: This is a complete loss of bladder control, resulting in continuous leakage. Causes can include birth defects, spinal injuries, or fistulas (abnormal connections between the bladder and another area).

    Diagnosing Female Urinary Incontinence

    At The Urology Partnership, we run several types of diagnostic tests to establish the type of incontinence and determine the best treatment path. These specialists tests may include:

    Cystoscopy

    During a cystoscopy, a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera is inserted into the urethra to examine the bladder and urethra for any abnormalities and give the reassurance that there is nothing sinister, cancerous or dangerous going on.

    Flow Test

    Measures the strength and flow rate of urine to assess bladder function.

    Bladder Scan

    Uses ultrasound to measure the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.

    Ultrasound

    Using sound waves alone, this test creates images of the bladder and kidneys to check for any structural issues or kidney stones.

    Urodynamic Pressure Studies

    A urodynamic test is a very accurate means of measuring bladder pressures and urine flow to fully evaluate bladder function and identify whether the underlying problem is stress or urge incontinence.

    Treatments for Female Urinary Incontinence

    After getting the correct diagnosis, our consultants will prepare a personalised treatment plan in consultation with you.

    There are several treatment options available, depending on the type and severity of incontinence.

    Urge Incontinence

    • Medications: We offer the latest medications, including Vibegron, which specifically targets the bladder, to help reduce over-activity and urgency.
    • Bladder Botox: In some cases Botox injections into the bladder muscle can be administered under a local anaesthetic via cystoscopy in the comfort of our clinic. This can help to relax the bladder and reduce the frequency of urges.

    Stress Incontinence

    Here at the Urology Partnership, we offer a comprehensive range of “mesh-free” surgical treatments for stress incontinence, avoiding the potential long term complications associated with synthetic mesh.

    • Emsella Chair: Offers a revolutionary, non-invasive solution for urinary incontinence, using electromagnetic energy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control. This comfortable and convenient treatment involves simply sitting fully clothed on the chair for a course of sessions. During each session the chair induces thousands of muscle contractions that are clinically proven to reduce or eliminate leaks.
    • Urethral Bulking Gels: This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a special gel around the urethra to add bulk and help it close more effectively, preventing leaks. It’s a safe and effective option with a very quick recovery time, allowing you to return to your normal activities sooner.  Our consultants are not only experts in urethral bulking therapies, but they are also internationally recognised trainers who are invited to share their expertise with surgeons around the world.
    • Autologous Fascial Slings: This innovative technique uses a small piece of your own tissue, carefully taken from the lower abdomen, to create a sling that supports the urethra and bladder neck. This provides long-term support and helps prevent leakage. Because it uses your own tissue, it minimises the risk of rejection or complications associated with synthetic materials.
    • Colposuspension: This surgical procedure is designed to provide long-term support for the bladder neck.  It involves lifting the bladder neck and securing it in a higher position using sutures. This helps to prevent leakage by restoring the normal anatomical position of the bladder and urethra. Colposuspension is a well-established procedure with a high success rate in treating stress incontinence.

    At The Urology Partnership, we committed to providing the highest quality care and helping you regain control of your bladder and your life. Our experienced consultants will discuss all the available options with you and recommend the most suitable treatment based on your individual needs and preferences.

    Next Steps

    Get fast access to leading specialists for the swift diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions in a private clinic environment.

    If you would like more information or wish to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist consultant urological surgeons then please either Call 0118 920 7040 or complete the form below.

    Insured patients

    Contact your GP and ask for a referral to the Urology Partnership.

    All consultations, investigations and treatments are covered by major insurance companies (depending on policy).

    Funding your own treatment

    Self-funding initial consultation fee is £205. Follow up fees are £165.

    Consultation charges are exclusive of any tests and other investigations that the consultant may wish to carry out.

    If you are making an appointment on behalf of someone else, please complete the form with their details but add your own name and contact details into the "further information" box.

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