Urinary incontinence is a condition characterized by the involuntary loss of urine which can lead to issues controlling when and where you urinate. This can range from occasional leaks to a complete inability to hold urine.
For many people, this condition cannot only make you feel embarrassed but also anxious, or isolated, changes which can hugely affect your social life and self-esteem.
While living with urinary incontinence can be challenging, with the right management strategies, you can lead a normal life. Learn more: https://aareurology.sg/services/incontinence-operation-and-procedures/.
On this page, we clarify whether you could use just pills to manage urinary incontinence. We also touch on; what not to do if you have urinary incontinence among other basics. Keep reading.
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Is there a Pill for Urinary Incontinence?
There are isolated instances when bladder control problems may persist even with your best efforts at bladder training and lifestyle adjustments. When you’ve tried multiple options with no notable improvement you may begin to wonder; is there a pill for urinary incontinence?
The answer is; yes, there are pills for urinary incontinence, depending on the type and cause of the condition. For overactive bladder (sudden, intense urges to urinate), medications like Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) can be prescribed. Mirabegron relaxes the bladder muscle, to increase its capacity and potentially reduce leaks.
For stress incontinence (leaks during activity like coughing or sneezing), there are also drug options that may help. Real quick, here are the five types of urinary incontinence you may want to know about;
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): This is involuntary urine leakage due to increased abdominal pressure, often during activities like coughing or exercising. It is caused by weakness in the urethral sphincter or pelvic floor. Commonly affecting women after childbirth or individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction, SUI can affect daily activities and quality of life, particularly common in women.
- Urge Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary urine leakage accompanied by a sudden urge to urinate. It occurs as a result of detrusor muscle overactivity, which can be triggered by bladder irritation or neurological issues. This type of urinary incontinence can lead to frequent bathroom visits and disruptions in daily life.
- Mixed Urinary Incontinence: Just as it sounds, this is a combination of stress and urge incontinence and can cause both leakage with pressure and sudden urges. It is caused by weakness in the urethral sphincter, pelvic floor, and detrusor muscle.
- Overflow Urinary Incontinence: This is leakage due to an overfull bladder that doesn’t empty completely. It can be caused by bladder outlet obstruction, nerve damage, or medications affecting bladder function.
- Functional Urinary Incontinence: FUI is Leakage due to physical or environmental barriers preventing timely access to a toilet. It can be a result of mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or environmental factors.
For the best treatment outcomes, a good urologist will want to tailor your urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore depending on the specific type of incontinence you’re struggling with. A few other medications that may be recommended for your urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore include;
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Imipramine (Tofranil)
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat mixed incontinence. As earlier explained, mixed incontinence is a combination of urge and stress incontinence.
Imipramine works by relaxing the bladder muscle and causing the smooth muscles at the bladder neck to contract. It is typically taken at night because it can cause drowsiness which makes it particularly useful for nighttime incontinence and bed-wetting in children. However, due to potential side effects, it may not be the best choice for older adults.
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Onabotulinumtoxin type A (Botox)
You may also be recommended Botox injections into the bladder muscle to help with urinary incontinence. This is most likely to be the case if you’re troubled with an overactive bladder or urge incontinence.
Botox works by blocking the actions of acetylcholine, which paralyzes the bladder muscle. This treatment may be recommended if your condition has not responded to other medications.
The effects of Botox injections can last several months. This means that it may be necessary to repeat the injections once or twice a year.
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Anticholinergics
When it comes to urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore, anticholinergic drugs are a common treatment for overactive bladder. They work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that triggers bladder contractions.
Some examples of anticholinergic medications include Solifenacin, Trospium, Oxybutynin, Fesoterodine, Tolterodine, and Darifenacin. These medications can be taken orally but, Oxybutynin is also available as a gel or skin patch. If anticholinergic medications are recommended for your treatment, you may need to wait for several weeks to see the full effect of the treatment.
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Estrogen
Topical estrogen is used to treat urinary incontinence in women. This is particularly common for patients after menopause.
The drop in estrogen levels after menopause can weaken the supportive tissues around the bladder and urethra and lead to stress incontinence, and here is where estrogen therapy comes in.
It helps restore these tissues to reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence. However, it may not be suitable for women with a history of certain cancers.
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Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle)
Duloxetine is a medication used to treat depression and anxiety. It can also help relax the muscles that control urination and improve bladder leaks in some people.
This medication may be especially helpful if you are troubled with both depression and urinary incontinence. It’s important to note that combination hormone therapy and oral estrogen therapy are not recommended for the treatment of urinary incontinence.
The Bottom Line
There sure is a pill for urinary incontinence. However, the use of specific medications for urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore depends on the specific type of urinary incontinence you’re dealing with and how you’ve faired with previous treatments.
So, it does also help to take time to understand these medication options if you’re considering using them for your urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore. And, as a basic rule of thumb, consultation with medical specialists like urologists for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations is always advisable.
To learn more about urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore or schedule an appointment for a thorough assessment, get in touch with a qualified urologist at Aare Urocare. See details below;
Aare Urocare – One-Stop Incontinence Centre | Dr Fiona Wu | Kidney Stones Removal | UTI Vaccine Singapore
6 Napier Rd,
#10-06 Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
+65 6252 4681