Urinary incontinence can be a daily struggle. It can affect your personal comfort and make social situations needlessly difficult. At Central Texas Urogynecology, we strive to provide our patients with solutions to their intimate issues. There are steps you can take to achieve greater control, regardless of the cause of your incontinence, and we’re here to provide them.
Below are some tips that you can implement to regain your power. Along with these, we also provide the Sciton diVa treatment. This highly effective laser system can strengthen vaginal tissue and address incontinence without the need for surgical intervention or even invasive procedures. Explore our recommendations below and get in touch with our Austin, Texas office to learn more about the diVa today.
#1: Kegel Exercises Can Reduce Urinary Incontinence
Kegel exercises are an excellent method for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. Often the first option for addressing incontinence, these daily exercises can reduce the frequency of urine leaks and the urgency that comes from having an overactive bladder.
These exercises are simple to do and involve squeezing your pelvic floor muscles. A set of 10-15 squeezes three times per day is recommended and should show results within six weeks.
If you need a helping hand or guidance on how to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, we provide pelvic floor therapy here at our Texas office. During a session, our specialist will stretch your muscles if they are contracted or apply resistance if they’re weak.
#2: Cutting Back on Bladder-irritating Food Can Help
Certain foods, especially acidic and sweet beverages, can irritate the lining of your bladder and increase the frequency of urination. This is a problem if you struggle with a lot of involuntary leakages. Therefore, avoiding or at least minimizing these foods and beverages is a good idea.
Foods and beverages you should avoid include:
- Softdrinks
- Artificial sweeteners
- Spicy Food
- Citrus fruit and juices
- Chocolate
- Milk products
- Sugar and honey
- Tomatoes
- Vinegar
#3: Smoking Plays a Role in Urinary Incontinence
There has been a lot of evidence that proves smoking tobacco is bad for your health. Aside from increasing cancer risk, smoking also damages small blood vessels and causes muscle weakness. This can result in pelvic floor weakness and, in turn, incontinence.
Furthermore, smoking can cause you to cough. If you already struggle with urinary incontinence, you know that coughing can lead to involuntary leakage. This can make day-to-day life uncomfortable and lead to a lot of embarrassing situations. Therefore, quitting smoking could provide you with several health benefits as well as a reduction in leakage.
#4: Losing Weight Can Reduce Stress on Your Bladder
Being at a healthy weight can benefit all aspects of your life, including your ability to control your bladder. When you carry extra weight, especially around your midsection, that weight puts extra stress on your pelvic floor muscles. This increases the frequency of urine leaks.
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a loss of 17 pounds over six months can reduce leaking episodes by as much as 50%. This is a significant reduction given the weight loss amount and rate.
The Sciton diVa for Urinary Incontinence
Sciton diVa is the world’s first hybrid fractional laser in women’s gynecological and genitourinary health. This device features HPA (High Precision Automation) technology that allows us to provide our patients with safe and effective outcomes.
When it comes to urinary incontinence, this device works by stimulating collagen production to rebuild strong and resilient vaginal walls. This helps support the bladder and urinary tract, relieving symptoms of leakage. Treatments take only five minutes to perform and require no sedation.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, our tips can help. Request a consultation with Dr. Antonini at our urogynecology & continence center in Austin, Texas. He will walk you through your procedure and answer any questions you might have. He will show you the compassion you deserve, and he will help you feel like yourself again with as little recovery time as possible. To set up an appointment, call us at 512-716-0861 or request one online.
