Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center
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Treatments for Incontinence & Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Getting to the CORE of Bladder Control

Urinary incontinence (leakage of urine at inappropriate times) is a major quality of life problem affecting more than 27 million Americans. Incontinence is a well-kept secret and a taboo in our America society. Men, women and children who have incontinence often live in silence and shame with their condition. Many will fail to discuss this sensitive issue with their healthcare providers for several reasons. Women may erroneously believe that nothing can be done about it, that bladder leakage is simply part of the aging process or a hygiene issue. Some have come to rely on self-management regimens such as using incontinence pads or diapers and spending extraordinary amounts of money trying to manage their condition. Many people who suffer with incontinence may dramatically limit their fluid intake, which has potential to cause physiological problems associated with dehydration. Adolescents are reluctant to discuss their concerns for fear of feeling “abnormal.” Men are humiliated by incontinence and are less likely than women to reach out to their healthcare provider for help. They live a “secret life,” desperately trying to manage their incontinence and avoiding being found out. Incontinence can cause physical, social, spiritual and personal harm to anyone.

In our society, there is the misconception that nothing can be done about their condition except surgery. However, successful treatment options are now available to decrease incontinence without surgery.
Because bladder problems are often caused by weak pelvic floor muscles (the muscles surrounding the bladder), Pelvic Muscle Rehabilitation may be necessary to achieve continence. This type of rehabilitation can be offered at a qualified clinician’s (nurse, physician or physical therapist) office and, if indicated, be supplemented with home therapy. Office-based pelvic floor therapy consists of a series of four to eight visits, each lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. A continence care specialist will provide bladder and behavioral retraining techniques to strengthen weakened muscles. Additionally, a home exercise plan will increase strength and improve use of the pelvic floor muscles that control bladder problems.

Some people experience urine loss while coughing, sneezing or during other physical activities. This is called stress incontinence. This is a common type of incontinence in women after childbirth, menopause or even surgery. Pelvic Floor Therapy can help rehabilitate the weakened supportive muscles that cause this problem.

Spasms of the bladder, indicated by an urgent and sometimes painful need to urinate, frequent trips to the bathroom, and possible urine loss is frequently called an "overactive bladder." Pelvic floor therapy has been shown to improve or correct the symptoms associated with this condition. The symptoms of an "overactive bladder" can be experienced alone or in combination with stress incontinence.

After simple diagnostic testing, you and your health care provider will decide if a pelvic floor program is an appropriate therapeutic option for you. Some treatments do require a doctor’s order. Improvement is often seen within two to four weeks. Complete treatment sessions can range from four to eight visits, each lasting approximately 30-45 minutes.

The session itself is comprised of an Exercise Phase, also known as biofeedback, during which a small vaginal or rectal sensor is inserted and you simulate trying to stop the flow of urine. The sensor allows your muscle contraction to be viewed on a special computer screen that you and your clinician will view. Also, small patch electrodes will be placed across the abdominal muscles to help you eliminate abdominal muscle movement. As you learn to correctly use your internal muscles and isolate and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, you will notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Following the exercise phase, and if necessary, you will begin the next phase of your session, the Stimulation Phase. In this phase, your internal sensor will deliver a painless electrical signal that will cause the muscle to contract. This helps to retrain the muscle and decreases the symptoms of an "overactive bladder."

You are a candidate for this therapy if you answer "yes" to any of these questions:

•Do you experience urgency, frequency and possible involuntary loss of urine?
•Do you suffer from stress incontinence: urine loss associated with coughing, sneezing, laughing, etc.?
•Have you had problems with incontinence since having a baby?




I am a Continence Nurse Specialist for Woodbury Health Products and WoodburyHealthCenter.com. My mission is to provide support to the millions of Americans who suffer with incontinence, often in silence and shame.

As a clinician, I hope to facilitate a healthier way of thinking about incontinence and to remove the taboo associated with it in America.

I received my nursing degree from the University of Portland, Oregon in 1994. I enjoy working with both patients and caregivers to provide them with expert consultation and dignified product solutions. With years of clinical experience, I realize the impact and importance of the support I can provide to people living with incontinence.
Robin Howe, RN BSN

Continence Nurse Specialist
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