When you live with bladder leaks, your world gets smaller. You can’t sit through a whole movie without a bathroom break. And you can’t attend an Arts Walk in downtown Coeur d’Alene without stressing over where you’ll find the nearest bathroom.
But bladder leakage is more common than you might think. The key is to seek treatment early from doctors who understand the physical and emotional toll urinary incontinence can have on your life. In this article, we’ll set the record straight about bladder leaks and explore possible treatment options, including SNM therapy, available at Northwest Women’s Care in Post Falls.
What causes bladder leaks in women?
Overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the more common causes of bladder leaks. It’s a group of symptoms that happen when the muscles inside your bladder are more active than they should be. A specific symptom of OAB is urinary urge incontinence (UUI), which means you leak urine right after feeling a sudden, intense urge to pee.
Some women believe that urge incontinence is a natural part of getting older. Others think it’s something they shouldn’t talk about with their doctors. Neither one is true. Facts show that incontinence:
Is more common than you think
About 6 in 10 women in the U.S. report signs of incontinence. Unfortunately, less than 25% of women talk with their doctor about bladder leaks, and those who do typically wait way too long to have that discussion. On average, women only seek a doctor’s help six-plus years after symptoms begin.
Can happen at any age
Bladder leaks aren’t specific to any age group. They can happen to new moms in their 20s or 30s, active women in their 40s and 50s, and retirees. In fact, more than half of patients with incontinence are under age 50.
Disrupts your life
One-quarter of women with incontinence say they had to take time off work due to bladder leakage. Nearly all (90%) women with incontinence say they feel isolated, embarrassed, or hopeless.
When should women in North Idaho seek treatment for OAB or UUI?
There’s no reason to wait until you feel shame. Instead, seek treatment for OAB or UUI as soon as you start to experience bladder leaks or other symptoms, such as needing to urinate eight times a day (or more) and twice or more at night. Other signs that indicate it’s time to talk with a doctor include:
- Limiting how much you drink to avoid an urgent trip to the bathroom
- Wearing pads or dark clothing “just in case”
- Avoiding social gatherings and long car rides for fear of an accident
- Reducing or skipping exercise, yoga, or other hobbies you enjoy
- Feeling distracted at work because you’re focused on your next bathroom break
The earlier you seek help, the sooner you can stop symptoms of OAB and UUI from taking over your life.
First-line treatments for bladder leakage
At your first appointment with a women’s health specialist in North Idaho, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and review your options. Initial treatments may include:
Diet modifications, such as cutting back or avoiding chocolate, coffee, or tea, products that contain caffeine, which can make the urge to go stronger.
Kegel exercises or pelvic floor physical therapy, both of which can strengthen the muscles around your bladder.
Keep a bladder diary, writing down the time and frequency of urination, then gradually stretching out the time between bathroom trips to re-train your bladder muscles.
Different types of medications (anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists) that can help relax the bladder muscles, reduce sudden contractions, and increase the bladder’s ability to hold urine.
These conservative treatments may help reduce symptoms, but they’re not always successful.
Sacroneuromodulation Therapy (SNM): A minimally invasive way to stop bladder leaks
If diet, exercise, and medication fail to resolve bladder leaks fully, SNM therapy may deliver long-term relief. SNM is a small implant, measuring roughly the size of a quarter. It works by sending gentle electrical pulses to the sacral nerve, helping restore communication between the brain and bladder.
SNM is implanted under the skin through a tiny incision in the lower back. Your doctor will confirm that the SNM device is working correctly before completing the minimally invasive procedure. SNM is powered by a battery that should last for 15 years or longer.
Approved for use to treat OAB, UUI, and bowel incontinence, SNM is clinically proven for both women and men. Studies show that 93% of patients treated with SNM experience a 50% reduction in UUI symptoms at two years, including less frequency, urgency, and bladder leakage. Ninety-four percent of patients say they’re satisfied with SNM therapy.
Can I try SNM before committing?
Yes. When you see our team at Northwest Women’s Care in Post Falls and ask about SNM, we will begin by talking about your symptoms and treatment history. We may request imaging studies like an ultrasound if needed.
If your doctor says you’re a good candidate for SNM therapy, you can begin with a simple evaluation period using a temporary external device. This will allow you to determine whether SNM will reduce your symptoms.
If both you and your doctor determine that SNM is the best treatment approach, your doctor will talk to you about which device—the SNMF15™ (recharge-free) or the SNMR20™ (rechargeable) is best. Then we will schedule your procedure at Northwest Specialty Hospital, voted as our region’s Best Hospital by the Business Journal of North Idaho. The surgery itself takes less than an hour, and most people go home the same day.
After surgery, you will have a few follow-up appointments so we can adjust the device settings for maximum performance.
Take back control of your life—and your bladder
If you’re tired of living with the embarrassment of bladder leaks, find a doctor who will listen to you and put you first. The team at Northwest Women’s Care is here to talk with you confidentially, evaluate your treatment options for OAB and UUI, and get you the help you need. To schedule an appointment, call 208-262-2482.