Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence

As best as we know, approximately 20 million American women have lived with urinary incontinence at some time in their lives. However, this number is likely greater because many women are hesitant to discuss incontinence with their health care providers – even when directly questioned. Although up to 30% of women age 30 – 70 have had at least some loss of bladder control, the age range of women seeking treatment for incontinence can be as young as their 20’s and as late as their 80’s and 90’s.

Fecal or Bowel Incontinence

Although not as frequent a complaint as stress urinary incontinence or prolapse, fecal incontinence is still a common condition affecting over 20 million people (~7% of the U.S. population). Although it is more common in older patients, women as young as their 20’s can suffer from this problem. Symptoms can include occasional or frequent involuntary loss of gas, liquid or solid stool (feces). Patients may subsequently seek social isolation and can be left feeling self-conscious and embarrassed. However, this is a treatable condition with potentially good results through either non-invasive or invasive treatments.

Therapeutic options available to patients are, in part, dependent on the results of testing that is done by colorectal specialists whom we work closely with in the Texas Medical Center Area. During your office visit with us, we will ask you questions about fecal incontinence to help us determine if a consultation with a colorectal specialist would be an important part of our care plan with you.