Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence and Prolapse

Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

Pelvic muscle exercises (PME): used to treat stress incontinence, PMEs, also called Kegel’s exercises, contract and release the muscles that support the pelvic organs (for example, uterus, bladder) to build strength. Most women must be taught how to contract the pelvic floor muscles correctly. For instructions, click here.

Biofeedback: techniques to teach bladder and pelvic muscle control through positive biofeedback. Biofeedback can be mechanical, as from an electromyogram (EMG) or interpersonal, as from a healthcare professional.

Bladder training: used to treat urge incontinence, bladder training requires urinating by schedule rather than by urge. The scheduled intervals are gradually increased as the patient's bladder control improves. Click here for a more details.

The bladder diet: used to treat symptoms such as frequency and urgency, the diet avoids foods that irritate the bladder. Click here for a list of foods to avoid.

Medications: a number of drugs can be used to treat urge incontinence. Detrol, Ditropan XL, Oxytrol patch, and Sanctura are frequently prescribed.

Occlusive devices: use of pessaries designed to treat stress incontinence. Women who have control problems during specific activities, such as exercise, find pessaries useful. A new device, called FemSoft^TM, fits in the urethra and acts like a plug.

Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation (PFES): electrical stimulation of the muscles in the pelvic floor to treat urge and mixed incontinence. Electrical current by means of a probe inserted into the anus or the vagina.

Treatments for Prolapse

Pelvic muscle exercises (PME): exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the pelvic organs, also called Kegel exercises. PMEs are used to prevent prolapse and to treat mild stress urinary incontinence.

Pessary: a device like a diaphragm that is worn inside the vagina to add support for the vagina, bladder, rectum, and uterus as necessary. A pessary must be fitted by a doctor or nurse.