Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is urinary incontinence?

    Urinary incontinence is a condition women experience when they are unable to control voiding urine. It can be embarrassing and debilitating and is often the result of pelvic floor damage. The University of Michigan Health Urogynecology Program provides comprehensive surgical and non-surgical services for women suffering from urinary incontinence.

    There are different types of urinary incontinence:

    • Stress incontinence – when coughing, laughing, sneezing, jumping, lifting or exercising increases the pressure in your abdomen enough that it pushes urine past the urethra
    • Urge incontinence (overactive bladder) – not able to wait until it is convenient to empty your bladder
    • Overflow – a rare condition in which small amounts of urine leak frequently because the bladder is constantly full
    • Mixed incontinence – a combination of stress and urge incontinence

    Appointment Information

    To schedule an appointment or learn more about the Urogynecology Program, please call 734-763-6295.

    How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

    Many tests are available to help diagnose the different forms of urinary incontinence with the most common being a pelvic exam. A post-void residual test determines how much urine is left behind after you urinate. A urinalysis determines if you have had an infection. And cystometry (urodynamics) shows how your bladder reacts when filled with sterile water.

    How is urinary incontinence treated?

    Treatment options depend on type of incontinence and severity. They can be as simple as decreasing intake of fluids or certain types of fluids. You may learn how to train your bladder to improve symptoms. You can do pelvic muscle rehabilitation, also known as Kegel exercises. You may be prescribed one of several medications. There are also vaginal surgeries and devices for stress incontinence symptoms.

    Pelvic Exercises for Urinary Incontinence

    Locations
    • Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic | Chelsea Professional Office Building Floor 1 Ste 101
      Chelsea Multispecialty Clinic
      Chelsea, MI 48118-1801       Get Directions
    • Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialty Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialty Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialty Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions
    • Women's Clinic | Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital 1540 E Hospital Dr
      Floor 9
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-4276       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Mary Fleming Ackenbom, MD

    Mary Fleming Ackenbom, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Obstetrics & Gynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surg

    John O. De Lancey, MD

    John O De Lancey, MD

    Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Michigan Photo

    Pamela Susan Fairchild, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Dee Ellen Fenner, MD

    Dee Ellen Fenner, MD

    Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Christopher Hong, MD

    Christopher Hong, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Obstetrics & Gynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

    Daniel McBurney Morgan, MD

    Daniel McBurney Morgan, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Megan O'Brien Schimpf, MD, MHSA

    Clinical Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Payton Claire Schmidt, MD

    Payton Claire Schmidt, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology

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