Women need not suffer in silence with leaking urine, pelvic pain or overactive bladders. Urogynecologists often can bring relief.

“There are many treatment options for women with urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders,” says Michael E. Carley, MD, medical director of urogynecology and a physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. “Through training, urogynecologists are able to offer various options to patients, from conservative therapies to breakthrough technologies.”

Although many women consult with urogynecologists because they leak urine, patients also may seek care for descending pelvic organs, sexual dysfunction and other conditions related to the bladder, vagina and rectum. Some patients who come to Baylor have already tried various therapies and want to find out whether a surgical procedure is the answer.

“For certain patients, surgery is not the answer,” Carley adds.

Mary Pedder, 63, went to Carley after a surgical sling procedure failed to solve her problem. The Colleyville, Texas resident’s troubles began as a young girl and persisted into adulthood. She continually feared wetting herself. Whenever she left the house, she had to wear pads and her first priority upon arriving anywhere outside her home was to locate the nearest restroom.

Overcoming the significant lifestyle limitations that often go along with incontinence requires finding the cause. Options vary depending on the origin of the problem.

Women with stress incontinence leak when they cough, laugh or jump. This happens because of a weak urethra, urine’s passageway from the bladder. Treatments for stress incontinence aim to strengthen the urethra. Carley said he recommends physical therapy, injections or a surgical procedure to improve urethral function.

Urge incontinence, however, occurs when urine leaks after a sudden urge to go. Bladder spasms are at the root of this type of urine loss. Treatments focus on decreasing bladder irritability and may include diet and behavioral changes. Carley advises women with this condition to avoid spicy or acidic foods and to urinate every couple of hours. Physical therapy and medications also may help relax the bladder.

Despite trying all of these therapies, Pedder still leaked. That’s when Carley suggested trying an implantable InterStim^® Therapy System. The device mildly stimulates the sacral nerve, acting similar to a pacemaker for the bladder.

“It’s for women when nothing else has been able to control symptoms,” Carley says.

Since receiving her permanent InterStim^® device in December, Pedder said she urinates less frequently and stays dry.

“I wish I’d had it 30 years ago,” Pedder says. “It’s wonderful to be free. I don’t wear a pad any longer; I’m dry. It’s such a relief. I cannot imagine life without it.”  : :