Nearly 25 percent of women at some time in their adult lives suffer from some type of urinary incontinence, usually as a result or weak or damaged pelvic tissue that prevents the urethra from closing tightly enough to keep urine in the bladder. For women, this condition can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth, aging and heredity, medical conditions, infections or medications. USMD urologists have a variety of medical and surgical treatments to alleviate the inconvenience and embarrassment of urinary incontinence, including:

• The Burch Procedure - This procedure repositions the bladder in such a way as to keep it stable, so that coughing or sneezing does not cause urine leakage. It can be performed with a laparoscope or through an open abdominal incision.
• The Sling Procedure - Women with incontinence due to weak sphincter mucles may be helped by the sling procedure, in which a tissue graft from elsewhere on the body or a synthetic material is placed under the urethra, preventing urine leakage. This procedure may be performed vaginally, laparoscopically or through an open abdominal incision.
• Tension-Free Transvaginal Tape (TVT) - This is a newer procedure that involves a mesh-like tape surgically inserted through the vagina to support the bladder neck and urethra to prevent urine leakage.
• Injectable Implants - Certain substances similar to those used as wrinkle fillers in the face may be injected into the lining of the urethra, creating more bulk in the surrounding tissue and allowing the urethra to close tightly, preventing urine leakage. More than one injection may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

In addition to treating incontinence, USMD urologists are experts in diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney stones, congenital abnormalities and cancers. They have a number of diagnostic tools available to determine the cause and the best method to treat these conditions. Depending on various factors, they may prescribe medication or recommend surgical intervention.