Many women struggle with urinary incontinence, and it can be an embarrassing and inconvenient issue to live with.
The good news is that there are many ways to manage and treat urinary incontinence. At Shine Health and Wellness, family medicine practitioner Dr. Kimberley Shine and her team can help you navigate your condition. We utilize urodynamic testing, medical treatments, and in some cases, surgery to best address your needs.
Whether you are dealing with stress incontinence or urge incontinence, we can help develop a personalized treatment plan to help you find the relief you deserve.
Causes and Risk Factors
Urinary incontinence can result from a variety of health and lifestyle factors, including:
- Pelvic Floor Weakness: Often caused by childbirth, surgery, or aging.
- Hormonal Changes: Estrogen decline during menopause can affect bladder support.
- Chronic Conditions: Diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or neurological disorders.
- Prostate Issues: Enlarged prostate or prostate surgery in men.
- Obesity: Extra weight increases pressure on the bladder.
- Lifestyle Factors: Excessive caffeine, alcohol use, or smoking.
Understanding these contributors allows Shine Health and Wellness to provide care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Different forms of incontinence require different treatment approaches. Common types include:
- Stress Incontinence: Leakage during coughing, sneezing, or physical activity.
- Urge Incontinence: A sudden, intense need to urinate, often linked with overactive bladder.
- Overflow Incontinence: Dribbling due to incomplete bladder emptying.
- Functional Incontinence: Difficulty reaching the bathroom in time due to mobility or other health issues.
- Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
Accurate diagnosis is key to selecting the most effective treatment.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
The symptoms vary based on the type of incontinence, but they may include:
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Involuntary leakage during physical activity
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Bedwetting or nighttime leakage
- Increased frequency of urinary tract infections
How Urinary Incontinence Is Diagnosed
At Shine Health and Wellness, diagnosis begins with a comprehensive evaluation. This may include:
- Medical History and Exam: Reviewing symptoms, lifestyle factors, and medical background.
- Urinalysis: Checking for infection or other abnormalities.
- Bladder Diary: Tracking frequency, triggers, and leakage patterns.
- Post-Void Residual Measurement: Assessing how much urine remains after urination.
- Pelvic Exam: Evaluating muscle strength and bladder support.
- Referral for Advanced Testing: Collaborating with urologists when specialized studies are needed.
This thorough process ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence
Treatment plans at Shine Health and Wellness are tailored to address the specific type and underlying cause of incontinence. Options may include:
- Pelvic Floor Therapy: Strengthening muscles through exercises or specialized treatments like EMSELLA.
- Lifestyle and Nutritional Counseling: Reducing bladder irritants and supporting weight management.
- Bladder Training: Establishing regular bathroom schedules to improve control.
- Medication Management: Prescribing medications to relax the bladder or improve emptying.
- Hormone Therapy: Using bioidentical hormones to support post-menopausal women.
- Minimally Invasive Treatments: Collaboration with specialists when surgical intervention is needed.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular check-ins to adapt the treatment plan as symptoms improve.
This integrative care model focuses on both short-term relief and long-term bladder health.
Why Choose Shine Health and Wellness?
Kimberley Shine, MD, combines more than a decade of medical experience with a patient-first philosophy. She values strong doctor-patient relationships and takes time to listen, educate, and empower each individual. With her background in integrative and functional medicine, Dr. Shine looks beyond symptoms to address the underlying causes of incontinence, offering sustainable and compassionate care.
The Shine Health and Wellness team also includes experienced nurses, a lifestyle coach, and a licensed acupuncturist. Together, they provide comprehensive and collaborative support to help patients improve bladder control and enhance their quality of life.
Regain Confidence and Comfort
Urinary incontinence does not have to control your life. With expert care and a personalized plan, lasting relief is possible. At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Kimberley Shine and her team provide compassionate treatment tailored to your needs.
Call 626-317-0207 today to schedule your consultation and learn how Shine Health and Wellness can help you regain control and confidence.