Losing the ability to control urination or your bowel movements can devastate your quality of life and cause major discomfort and pain. When you understand the many types of urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence, you are in a better position to talk to your doctor about the problem and develop solutions.

Because symptoms for the same conditions vary from one person to the next, a visit to a urologist may be the best way to determine the right course of action . For example, one person might need to incorporate Kegel exercises into a daily routine while others may benefit from treatments like Axonics or bulking agents such as Bulkamid.

Types of urinary incontinence

Medical professionals can recognize and classify the different types of urinary incontinence and then provide effective treatment according to the patient’s specific needs. This tailored approach, which focuses on enhancing bladder control and addressing issues within the urinary tract, produces a treatment plan that is more effective in improving your overall quality of life.

• Stress incontinence. Research indicates that one in three women suffers from this at some point. Stress incontinence is the involuntary release of urine due to an increase in pressure on the bladder from certain physical activities or motions like coughing, sneezing, and laughing. The stress is physical, not emotional.
• Urge incontinence. Occurs when a person experiences an abrupt and strong need to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. It frequently leads to urine leakage before the person can reach a restroom. This can occur at any time of the day or night. Overactive bladder has the same symptoms but the leakage may or may not occur.
• Mixed incontinence. A person with mixed incontinence exhibits symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence, the two most frequent types of urinary incontinence.
• Overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder fails to empty itself, leading to a steady or ongoing dribble of urine. A person may feel that their bladder is never really empty, regardless of how many times they use the restroom.
• Functional incontinence. People with functional incontinence experience involuntary urination because they are unable to reach the bathroom in a timely manner. People who suffer from dementia or arthritis, for example, may not be able to manage the time it takes to get to a restroom.

Types of bowel incontinence

Bowel incontinence, also called fecal incontinence, is the lack of control over bowel movements. Gastroenterology studies indicate that about 20 million American a dults have this condition. It can be caused by a variety of ailments, damage to muscles and nerves, and other problems. The basic types of bowel incontinence are:

• Urge incontinence. This involves the sudden feeling of an urgent need to go to the bathroom and the inability to control the bowels
• Passive bowel incontinence. This occurs when a person is unaware that their rectum is full and does not feel the need to go to the bathroom. As a result, an unanticipated and uncontrollable release of stool occurs.
• Dual incontinence. A person experiences both urinary and bowel control problems.

Causes and risk factors

The different types of incontinence have varying causes and risk factors, but there are some common characteristics, including:

• Incontinence is more common in women than in men. Most incontinence problems for men typically involve the prostate and stem from an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer treatment.
• Physical changes. Stress incontinence can occur when the muscles in the pelvic floor become weak, especially when the uretha and bladder is under strain from movements like sneezing or coughing.
• As we age, the muscles that control the bladder weaken, making it harder to control or empty the bladder completely. Seniors are more likely to have problems like urge or overflow incontinence.
• The likelihood of stress incontinence increases during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the weight of the fetus, which can stretch and weaken the pelvic muscles. Damage to muscles and nerves during childbirth also can lead to fecal incontinence.
• Health problems. Overflow or urge incontinence can occur when neurological diseases, diabetes, or MS disrupt the normal transmission of nerve signals to the bladder.

Other risk factors include being overweight and engaging in risky lifestyle practices like smoking or not getting enough exercise.

The diagnosis  of urinary incontinence typically begins with a detailed patient history and physical exam, which may include coughing to demonstrate incontinence. Additional tests like urinalysis, bladder diaries, and postvoid residual measures may follow, with specialized tests like urodynamic studies reserved for complex cases or surgery planning.

Cutting-edge treatments

Sacral neuromodulation using Axonics is one of the most cutting-edge treatments for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB). Axonics Therapy provides gentle stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder and bowel, which can ease symptoms and restore normal control. After two years, Axonics shows a satisfaction rate of 94% for urinary management.

Urethral bulking agents such as Bulkamid are an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. It involves a few, small injections of a soft, water-based gel to restore the natural closing of the urethra. 92% of women who take these agents report an improvement in their symptoms. These options reinforce conservative treatments like exercises for pelvic floor muscles and changes to food and lifestyle.

Dr. Kirkpatrick’s expertise and approach

Dr. Gina Kirkpatrick has extensive experience in the field of urology and the treatment of  female pelvic disorders. Her education and expertise allow her to develop unique treatment programs for each patient for a wide variety of medical issues, including urinary tract infections and pelvic pain. She provides advanced treatment at Florida Medical Clinic using innovative treatment options and modern technological advances.

If you are experiencing bladder leakage or urinary frequency problems, the Department of Urology at Florida Medical Clinic can help. Our expert team can provide specialized therapy by resolving urinary system issues and creating personalized treatment plans. Your doctor may recommend pelvic floor exercises, the use of incontinence products like Axonics or Bulkamid, bladder control therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of treatments.

Request an appointment with Dr. Kirkpatrick on our website or call (813) 979-7733 today.

Meet Dr. Kirkpatrick

Dr. Gina Kirkpatrick, DO, MPH, MBA, is a board-certified urologist who has been diagnosing and treating prostate issues, urinary incontinence and urinary voiding dysfunction in the Tampa region since 2017. She takes a patient-centered approach — making sure people understand their diseases and developing personalized treatment programs to overcome any obstacles.

Dr. Kirkpatrick completed her residency in Urological Surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Rowan University, followed by a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.