One of the ways to treat urinary incontinence is to use medications, such as Oxybutynin, Trospium, Solifenacin, Estrogen or Imipramine, for example, prescribed by the doctor as a way to reduce bladder contractions or improve the action of the urethral sphincter, episodes of involuntary loss of urine.
These medications are only indicated in some cases, as they can cause many side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea or even urinary retention, and are recommended when other forms of treatment, such as physiotherapy, are not enough.
Urinary incontinence is a common condition that can affect anyone, especially women over the age of 45, and causes uncomfortable symptoms such as loss of urine on clothing, which may occur after exertion or after a sudden urge to urinate, occurring in a short time or large quantity. Understand the symptoms, types and causes of urinary incontinence.
Medications used
Medications that can be targeted to relieve urinary incontinence depend on its type, whether for women or men. Options include:
1. For stress urinary incontinence
This type of incontinence occurs whenever an effort is made with the belly or pelvis, such as coughing, sneezing or carrying a weight, and arises mainly due to weakening of the pelvic muscles, or changes in the position of the urethra or bladder.
Some medications may be targeted to relieve the symptoms are:
- Estrogen : the use of estrogen, such as oestradiol in the form of ointment, patch or vaginal ring, can act by increasing the closure pressure of the urethra, blood flow and quality of tissue lining the urethra and vagina, decreasing the chances of incontinence ;
- Imipramine : is a type of antidepressant that is able to diminish the contraction of the bladder and increase the resistance of the urethra;
- Duloxetine is another type of antidepressant, which can have an effect on the nerves of the urethra, decreasing the frequency of incontinence.
It is important to remember that in stress incontinence, the main form of treatment is the physiotherapy of the pelvic floor, guided by trained physiotherapists, including therapies such as electrostimulation or exercises for the muscles, which are fundamental to correctly treat this problem. Check out some exercises that can be done against urinary incontinence in the following video:
In addition, surgery is an important alternative to correct changes in the musculature or positioning of the bladder and urethra, and should be considered whenever improvement can not be achieved with the treatments performed.
2. For urge urinary incontinence
This type of incontinence happens mainly due to anatomical and hormonal changes of aging, however, it can also occur in young people due to situations such as cystitis, bladder stone or neurological changes such as those caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, tumors brain injuries or spinal injuries, for example.
The main remedies used to treat this condition are medicines that work by decreasing involuntary contraction of the bladder and improving the action of the urethral sphincter, called antimuscarinics. Some of the most used are:
- Oxybutynin (Retemic, Incontinol);
- Trospium Hydrochloride (Sanctura, Spasmoplex);
- Solifenacin (Vesicare);
- Darifenacin (Enablex, Emselex);
- Imipramine (Tofranil, Depramine, Imipra, Mepramin).
These medicines should be used with caution, only with medical indication, as they may cause several side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, confusion and reduced memory, especially in people who are more susceptible, such as the elderly.
Physiotherapy exercises and adjustments of the time to use the bathroom are also alternatives that help to control the symptoms. Check out more about treatment forms in treatment for urinary incontinence.
Natural Treatment
The natural treatment for urinary incontinence is oriented in all cases, being very important to aid in treatment and reduce the frequency or intensity of incontinence. Thus, it is recommended:
- Behavioral therapy, which consists of setting times to go to the bathroom, even if there is no urge to urinate, as a way to prevent sudden losses;
- Practice perineal exercises, which consist of contraction and relaxation of the perineal musculature in 30-minute sessions, twice a week;
- To thin, in cases of people who are overweight, to decrease the excess weight on the bladder and the musculature of the pelvis;
- Regulate the bowel because constipation may also act as worsening of urinary incontinence. Learn more tips on what to do to control menopausal incontinence.
Take care of food, exciting foods for the bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, smoke and spicy foods. See more tips in this video:
