“Bladder leakage” describes a symptom, not a single diagnosis. Understanding when it happens makes the consultation and treatment plan more useful.
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence means leakage associated with physical pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, running or lifting. Here, “stress” refers to physical exertion or pressure, rather than emotional stress. Pelvic-floor and urethral support can be relevant.
Urgency incontinence
Urgency incontinence means leakage associated with a sudden compelling need to urinate. Urgency can also happen without a leak. Frequency, night-time trips and difficulty deferring an urge are useful details to discuss.
Mixed incontinence
Mixed incontinence includes both patterns. One may be more bothersome than the other. A treatment plan can address several contributors, rather than forcing every symptom into one category.
What does that mean for treatment?
Pelvic-floor muscle training has an established role in stress and mixed incontinence. Bladder training is an established option for urgency and mixed symptoms. EMSELLA stimulates pelvic-floor muscles and can be considered after assessment where that treatment target is relevant. Medication, specialist assessment or other care may also be appropriate.
The useful consultation question is “What is driving this pattern, and what are we trying to improve?” Tell the clinician about previous pelvic or prostate surgery, childbirth, medications, pain, infections and difficulty emptying.
A short bladder diary can make the discussion more concrete: note trips, urgency, leaks and the activities around them. Do not delay care for new concerning symptoms while collecting a diary.
Sources
Start with a conversation
No payment upfront. Start with a complimentary consultation and screening at ¹EM Prahran. Nothing is collected at your first visit. If you proceed, payment is collected from your second visit onwards, with your plan and full costs explained and agreed before treatment. No obligation to proceed. Suitability and results vary.