Possible therapies for urinary incontinence

Nowadays, the general rule of thumb is "The sooner well-targeted treatment for a bladder weakness is started, the greater the chance of healing or rehabilitating the bladder, even without surgery". The correct treatment and care for each individual depends on the form and the degree of severity of the incontinence.

At the forefront are conservative (= non-surgical) therapies. These comprise:

• Behavioral therapy (toilet and micturition training)
• Physiotherapeutic measures (pelvic floor exercises with or without biofeedback and electrostimulation)
• Drug therapy

Particular consideration should be given to surgical procedures in the case of severe forms of female stress incontinence.

A further important aspect of the treatment as a whole is the supplying of the patient with aids such as a condom urinal system or absorbent incontinence products. Aids are a necessary accompaniment to the treatment in order to reassure the persons affected that they will not suffer any embarrassing accidents while they are not yet symptom-free. In cases of untreatable incontinence, aids make it much easier to live with the incontinence and guarantee those affected at least "social continence".