Health U: Understanding Urinary Incontinence and Treatment Options

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Urinary incontinence is a condition many people live with, but few are comfortable talking about. It affects both men and women, often disrupting daily life in ways that can feel isolating. Dr. Westbrook, a trauma and reconstructive urologist at Lexington Medical Center, joined us in studio to explain what it is and how it can be treated.

Urinary incontinence, in broad terms, is when you lose the ability to control your urine, but there are several types:

• Urge incontinence: a sudden need to go, often followed by leakage before reaching the restroom.
• Overflow incontinence: when the bladder doesn’t empty fully, leading to overfilling.
• Stress incontinence: leakage caused by physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising.

While pelvic muscles naturally weaken with age, Dr. Westbrook emphasizes that incontinence is not a normal part of aging.

Treatment options range from daily lifestyle changes and physical therapy to medications and surgical procedures. For men with stress incontinence, two minimally invasive surgeries are available:

• Male Sling: a small piece of mesh that supports the urethra.
• Artificial Urinary Sphincter: the gold standard for moderate to severe cases, this implantable device mimics the body’s natural urinary sphincter, giving men control over bladder function.

Dr. Westbrook’s message is clear: no one should have to live in silence or embarrassment. If you think you may be experiencing urinary incontinence, talk with your primary care provider and learn more about treatment options at Lexington Medical Center.

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