Bladder incontinence treatment in Sydney

Bladder incontinence is a common condition in women at a range of ages and stages that causes them to experience a loss of bladder control, leading to involuntary urine leakage. At Papaya Clinic, your local incontinence physio in Sydney, we’re here to help women regain control and confidence with tailored strategies to manage your symptoms, specialised physiotherapy treatment for urinary incontinence and holistic healthcare solutions.

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What are the common types of incontinence?

There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:

Stress incontinence is often caused by increased pressure on the bladder due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which can occur as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation, menopause or certain medical conditions. The first signs of this common form of incontinence are often subtle – you may notice occasional leaks during activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or exercising.
Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, happens when the bladder muscles contract involuntarily. This leads to a strong, sudden urge to urinate, which may occur frequently during the day and night. This can be a frustrating disruption to daily activities, including sleep.
Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence, where women experience symptoms of both types.

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What contributes to bladder or urinary incontinence?

Age

Bladder incontinence is a common issue among older women, often caused by age-related changes in the body. As women age, the pelvic floor muscles – which support the bladder and urethra – may weaken, leading to incontinence. Hormonal changes brought about by menopause can also contribute to bladder sphincter deficiency and increased mobility of the urethra and connective tissues, worsening incontinence.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, incontinence is incredibly common. Hormonal changes, increased pressure on the bladder thanks to the growing uterus, and changes in pelvic floor muscles can all contribute to urinary incontinence. Many pregnant women experience stress incontinence, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy, due to the added strain on the pelvic floor muscles. Childbirth – especially vaginal delivery – can also weaken pelvic floor muscles and lead to bladder incontinence postpartum, which may manifest as stress incontinence, urge incontinence or a combination of both.

Hormonal changes

Some women notice an increase in urinary symptoms – including urgency and frequency – before and during their period. This can be attributed to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, which can affect bladder function. Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or conditions such as endometriosis may experience pelvic pain and increased pressure on the bladder, exacerbating urinary symptoms. While this is typically temporary and resolves after menstruation, it can still be a frustrating symptom.

Prolapse

A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken, causing one or more of these organs to drop from their normal position. When the bladder prolapses, it can press against the vaginal wall, leading to bladder incontinence. This pressure disrupts the normal function of the bladder and urethra, making it difficult to control the release of urine. As a result, women may experience urinary leakage, urgency, or increased frequency, significantly impacting their quality of life. This condition often arises due to childbirth, menopause, or other factors that weaken the pelvic floor.

We take a comprehensive and personalised approach to your care, and will collaborate with our naturopaths if appropriate for your condition.

How can Papaya Clinic help manage bladder incontinence?

You may be wondering, “How do you fix female incontinence?” – well, at Papaya Clinic, women’s health is our sole focus. That means we’re perfectly placed to offer holistic healthcare solutions that take your specific needs into account across a wide range of health concerns. Treatment for incontinence in women varies depending on the type and severity of symptoms, but typically includes:

Pelvic floor physiotherapy

A pelvic floor physiotherapist will be your best friend when it comes to managing urinary symptoms and achieving continence. A physiotherapist will be able to teach you pelvic floor muscle exercises that can strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, improving bladder control and reducing urinary leakage.

Good bladder habits can be beneficial for both stress and urge incontinence.

Lifestyle modifications

Lifestyle modifications can play a significant role in managing and reducing bladder incontinence symptoms in women. At Papaya Clinic, your local incontinence clinic in Sydney, our team of pelvic physiotherapists also provides education on bladder health and bowel habits, while our nutritionists offer advice on weight management and dietary changes (including avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol) to optimise treatment outcomes. Additionally, our Sydney pelvic physios are qualified to fit an incontinence pessary, a device inserted into the vagina to support the bladder and reduce incontinence, offering another effective method to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Medication and surgery

In severe cases, you may require a referral to a physician for medication to be prescribed that relaxes the bladder or reduces urinary urgency.

Surgical procedures are also an option, which provides additional support to the bladder and urethra.

When it comes to incontinence, physiotherapy is a helpful way to manage your symptoms. Physiotherapists specialising in pelvic floor rehabilitation conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate pelvic floor muscle function and bladder control, and develop personalised treatment plans accordingly. These plans often include pelvic floor exercises, a pessary fitting , lifestyle modifications, and may involve referral to urologist in some cases. If you happen to be experiencing urinary incontinence, get in touch with our experienced team of women’s health practitioners today for a consultation.