When To Call A Professional

Because women are sometimes reluctant to tell their doctors about symptoms of urinary incontinence, fewer than 50% seek medical care. Urinary incontinence is a very common problem, and it has a variety of possible treatments. If you experience urinary incontinence, tell your doctor

Prognosis

About 80% of women who seek treatment for urinary incontinence find that their symptoms improve. Patients who continue a bladder retraining program may begin to see good results after only a few weeks of therapy. Kegel exercises improve urine control in 40% to 75% of women who use them consistently.

Surgery for urinary incontinence has been shown to be very successful, but it can result in one or more complications. Some of these possible complications include:

• Difficulty emptying the bladder

• Bladder spasms

• Bladder infection

• Injury to the bladder during surgery

• Return of incontinence

Additional Info

American Urological Association 1120 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 727-1100 Fax: (410) 223-4370 http://www.auanet.org/

American Foundation for Urologic Disease 1128 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 468-1800 Toll-Free: (800) 242-2383 Fax: (410) 468-1808 http://www.afud.org/