Urinary incontinence is embarrassing and uncomfortable. You may need to wear incontinence pads, which can be uncomfortable, but if you don't, you might sneeze and have an accident that leaves you with wet pants. If you're having trouble with bladder control, talk to your doctor. There are treatments that might help.

The treatment your doctor recommends depends on the type of incontinence you have. Incontinence can be caused by a number of things, so finding out why you have the problem is important too. Here are some treatment options for urinary incontinence.

Medications

There are several medications on the market to treat urinary incontinence by treating an overactive bladder. The medications work by reducing muscle contractions in your bladder that cause the urge to urinate often and that cause leaking. Medications alone might help your incontinence, but some medications might have bothersome side effects. If so, your doctor might suggest other treatment options.

Nerve Stimulation Treatments

Nerve stimulation can be accomplished by having a small device implanted in your hip area or by having treatments applied to a nerve near your ankle that stimulates the nerves that control your bladder. The purpose of the stimulation is to block the nerve signals that cause bladder spasms and an overactive bladder.

When you get treatments on the nerve near your ankle, you receive the stimulation for several minutes during a single session and then schedule several sessions over a period of a few months. You should gradually notice an improvement in your incontinence as you take more treatments.

Pelvic Floor Training

Your doctor might send you to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor training. This training involves doing exercises that target your pelvic floor to strengthen muscles that hold up your bladder. Kegel exercises might be included, but your therapist may teach you other exercises as well. Most importantly, your therapist teaches you how to do the exercises properly and how often to repeat them so you get the most effective results.

Lifestyle Changes

Obesity makes urinary incontinence worse. When you reach your ideal weight, you may see an improvement in your symptoms. You can also learn about foods and drinks that cause bladder spasms so you can avoid them. You may need to adjust how much you drink and when you drink so you can train your bladder when it's time to empty and when it's time to hold urine.

You might also need to wear incontinence products until your condition is reversed so you avoid embarrassment when you cough or when you can't make it to the bathroom in time.

For more information on urinary incontinence, contact a professional near you.