Bladder incontinence is a common condition in women at many ages and stages that causes a loss of bladder control, leading to involuntary urine leakage. As Sydney’s leading incontinence physio, Papaya Clinic is here to help women regain control and confidence, improving quality of life. Our qualified pelvic health physiotherapists provide tailored strategies to manage symptoms, specialised pelvic physiotherapy treatment, and holistic healthcare solutions for every woman with urinary incontinence symptoms.
Bladder incontinence treatment in Sydney
What are the common types of incontinence?
There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:
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Stress incontinence is often caused by increased pressure on the bladder due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which can occur as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation, menopause or certain medical conditions. The first signs of this common form of incontinence are often subtle – you may notice occasional leaks during activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or exercising.
Stress incontinence causes an estimated 50% of incontinence cases in women and can occur regardless of age.
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Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, happens when the bladder muscles contract involuntarily. This leads to a strong, sudden urge to urinate, which may occur frequently during the day and night. This can be a frustrating disruption to daily activities, including sleep.
Urge incontinence develops more commonly in older women, and accounts for a smaller proportion of women with incontinence issues.
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Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence, where women experience symptoms of both types.
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Inside it detailed all the appointments we recommend at each trimester, from physiotherapy, to midwifery and obstetrics to naturopathy and doulas.
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What contributes to bladder or urinary incontinence?
Age
Bladder incontinence is a common issue among older women, often caused by age-related changes in the body. As women age, the pelvic floor muscles – which support the bladder and urethra – may weaken, leading to incontinence. Hormonal changes brought about by menopause can also contribute to bladder sphincter deficiency and increased mobility of the urethra and connective tissues, worsening incontinence.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, incontinence is incredibly common. Hormonal changes, increased pressure on the bladder thanks to the growing uterus, and changes in pelvic floor muscles can all contribute to urinary incontinence. Many pregnant women experience stress incontinence, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy, due to the added strain on the pelvic floor muscles. Childbirth – especially vaginal delivery – can also weaken pelvic floor muscles and lead to bladder incontinence postpartum, which may manifest as stress incontinence, urge incontinence or a combination of both.
Hormonal changes
Some women notice an increase in urinary symptoms – including urgency and frequency – before and during their period. This can be attributed to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, which can affect bladder function. Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or conditions such as endometriosis may experience pelvic pain and increased pressure on the bladder, exacerbating urinary symptoms. While this is typically temporary and resolves after menstruation, it can still be a frustrating symptom.
Prolapse
A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken, causing one or more of these organs to drop from their normal position. When the bladder prolapses, it can press against the vaginal wall, leading to bladder incontinence. This pressure disrupts the normal function of the bladder and urethra, making it difficult to control the release of urine. As a result, women may experience urinary leakage, urgency, or increased frequency, significantly impacting their quality of life. This condition often arises due to childbirth, menopause, or other factors that weaken the pelvic floor.
We take a comprehensive and personalised approach to your care, and will collaborate with our naturopaths if appropriate for your condition.
How can Papaya Clinic help manage bladder incontinence?
You may be wondering, “How do you fix female incontinence?” – well, at Papaya Clinic, women’s health is our sole focus. That means we’re perfectly placed to offer holistic healthcare solutions that take your specific needs into account across a wide range of health concerns. Treatment for incontinence in women varies depending on the type and severity of symptoms, but typically includes:
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
A pelvic floor physiotherapist will be your best friend when it comes to managing urinary symptoms and achieving continence. A physiotherapist will be able to teach you pelvic floor muscle exercises that can strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, improving bladder control and reducing urinary leakage.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for stress incontinence. A 2005 research study by physiotherapists from the University of South Australia found that 80% of women who undertook pelvic floor muscle training taught by specialist continence physiotherapists did not require surgical procedures after treatment.
In addition to facilitating pelvic floor exercises, our physiotherapists will also provide strategies for bladder retraining, such as gradually increasing the amount of time between visits to the toilet. Bladder retraining promotes good bladder habits that can be beneficial for both stress and urge incontinence.
Lifestyle modifications
Lifestyle modifications can play a significant role in managing and reducing bladder incontinence symptoms in women. At Papaya Clinic, your local incontinence clinic in Sydney, our team of pelvic physiotherapists educates patients about bladder health and bowel habits. Our nutritionists also provide guidance on weight management and dietary changes, including tips to avoid bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, to help improve treatment outcomes.
Additionally, our Sydney pelvic physios are qualified to fit an incontinence pessary, a device inserted into the vagina to support the bladder and reduce incontinence, offering another effective method to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medication and surgery
In severe cases, we can refer you to a physician for medication to be prescribed that relaxes the bladder or reduces urinary urgency.
Surgical procedures are also an option, which provides additional support to the bladder and urethra.
When it comes to incontinence, physiotherapy is a helpful way to manage your symptoms. Physiotherapists specialising in pelvic floor rehabilitation conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate pelvic floor muscle function and bladder control, and develop personalised treatment plans accordingly. These plans often include pelvic floor exercises, a pessary fitting , lifestyle modifications, and may involve referral to urologist in some cases. If you happen to be experiencing urinary incontinence, get in touch with our experienced team of women’s health practitioners today for a consultation.
Bladder incontinence treatment in Sydney
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