Dr Michael Wong is a USA-fellowship trained senior urologist with an exceptional international standing, having received some of the highest recognitions across three continents.
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Restore Your Urological Health.
Make an appointment with Dr Michael Wong to receive a tailored, supportive and targeted care plan.
One-stop diagnosis and treatment centre of excellence for your urological, fertility or gynaecological problems
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the loss of control over one’s bladder. This means that the person has the tendency to urinate unintentionally. It is a common and often an uncomfortable problem. The severity varies from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to persistent conditions that can still be treated.
Medically reviewed by Dr Michael Wong, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Urologist
FAMS (Urology),FICS (USA),FRCS (Edinburgh),M Med (Surgery),MBBS (S’pore)
What Causes Female Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence usually happens when the regular process of storing and transporting of urine outside the body is interrupted, but it can also occur due to other reasons and factors. It can either be temporary or persistent.
Dr Michael Wong is skilled in the treatment of urinary incontinence; and has a subspecialty Fellowship in Female Urology and Neurology (USA) under his belt.
To arrange a consultation, please contact our clinic today.
Urinary incontinence may happen all of a sudden and then go away after a short period of time. Certain drinks and foods may increase the volume of urine and stimulate your bladder. These consist of:
Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid (citrus fruits)
Large doses of vitamin C
Alcohol
Caffeine
Carbonated drinks
Artificial sweeteners
Chocolate
Chilli peppers
Persistent Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence may continue on a long-term basis and become a persistent condition. This may be caused by physical problems like:
Childbirth
Vaginal delivery can damage the bladder nerves and supportive tissue that controls the bladder. It can also weaken the pelvic floor muscles, resulting in an overactive bladder. Having an overactive bladder means the person urinates more than usual as the bladder has uncontrollable spasms.
Ageing
he ageing of the bladder muscle can reduce the bladder's capacity to store urine. This means that as you get older, involuntary bladder contractions become recurrent.
Menopause
After menopause, women produce less oestrogen - a kind of hormone that retains the lining of the bladder and urethra in good physical shape. Lack of oestrogen causes the pelvic muscles to deteriorate and may not be able to control the bladder.
Hysterectomy
Any surgery that involves a woman's reproductive system like the removal of the uterus, may hurt the supporting pelvic floor muscles and cause an incontinence.
Actions That May Trigger Urinary Incontinence
Coughing
Sneezing
Laughing
Heavy lifting
Exercise
A sudden change in position
The sound of running water (for some people)
Sex (especially during orgasm)
Treatments for Stress and/or Urge Urinary Incontinence
Every treatment depends on the type and severity of the symptoms. Some cases can be treated by a simple change in habits that may prevent the actions that trigger urinary incontinence.
Aside from this, here are some of the other treatments for stress urinary incontinence:
Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises can tighten the muscles that help control urination. You can try doing Kegel exercises by contracting your muscles, holding it for 5 seconds and releasing it after about 5 seconds as well. You can also try doing squats by standing in an upright position and dropping down until your thighs are parallel to the ground, maintaining the weight in your heels and bowing the knees a little outward.
Bladder Training
Bladder training helps the patient slowly gain back control over their bladder. These are the following techniques for bladder training.
Postponing the Event
- The patient learns how to delay urination whenever there is an impulse to do so. The aim is to control the urge.
Scheduled Toilet Trips
- The patient learns to set a toilet time during the day, e.g. going every 2 hours. This strengthens the bladder as it learns to control the urge to urinate.
Medications
If you choose to have medications, exercises and bladder training are still necessary. Here are some of the medications that are prescribed to treat urinary incontinence:
Anticholinergics and newer oral therapy are now available to calm an overcharged bladder.
Topical oestrogen, which reinforces tissue in the urethra and vaginal areas, which maintains the muscular and connective tissues.
Imipramine, which reduces the number of times you leak urine.
Surgery for Urinary Incontinence
Surgery is suggested if the other treatments and rehabilitations have not been effective. Some of the surgical treatments include the following:
Sling Procedures
This supports the urethra to stop urine from leaking out by inserting a mesh under the neck of the bladder.
Artificial Sphincter
an artificial sphincter is inserted from the bladder into the urethra to control the flow of urine.
Let us help you
Restore your urological health.
Make an appointment with Dr Michael Wong to receive a tailored, supportive and targeted care plan.
Office Location
3 Mount Elizabeth Road, #10-09, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
