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Urologist Hannah Pham, MD Discusses Stress Urinary Incontinence

Dr. Hannah Pham explains stress incontinence.

Urologist Dr. Hannah Pham treats stress urinary incontinence in men and women

Stress urinary incontinence, also known as stress incontinence, affects men and women. The most common type of urinary incontinence, stress incontinence affects about 1 out of 3 women and approximately 1 of 10 men. Urologist Hannah Pham knows that patients can be embarrassed to seek treatment or talk about their problems, but she urges them to seek medical care.

“Stress incontinence isn’t a life-threatening issue, but there are long-term consequences that can occur if it is left untreated,” she says. “The most significant impact is on quality of life. Patients may start avoiding social events and physical activity. It can also negatively affect their relationships, if they start avoiding intimacy.”

Patients need to know that help is available, provided in the most caring way.

Risk factors and symptoms for men and women

Both men and women experience the same symptoms with stress urinary incontinence. They leak urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift heavy items.

Women are at risk as they age and produce less estrogen. Childbearing, particularly vaginal deliveries, also increases a woman’s risk. Men who have had prostate issues, particularly prostate removal after prostate cancer, are at higher risk. Obesity is another risk factor for men and women.

Dr. Pham expertly diagnoses stress urinary incontinence

Dr. Pham begins her diagnostic process by talking to the patient. She likes to determine how much the problem affects their lifestyle. Some patients may leak a significant amount of urine, but they aren’t bothered by it and control the problem with lifestyle modifications. Others may only leak a little, but their quality of life suffers due to their embarrassment and discomfort.

Once urologist Hannah Pham gauges how stress urinary incontinence affects a patient’s life, she performs a physical examination. If the patient leaks urine during the exam when coughing, laughing or moving, that verifies the problem. If not, our Houston urologist may need to perform urodynamic testing or other tests to determine whether stress incontinence is the issue.

Urologist Hannah Pham, MD works with patients to create a treatment plan

Once there is a diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence, Dr. Pham can start to devise a treatment plan.

“I always start with the most minimally invasive thing first, and then go step by step,” she says.

Lifestyle changes can help, including modifications such as getting to a healthy weight, avoiding food and drink that irritate the bladder, and avoiding certain movements.

Women can pursue the following treatment options.

  • Devices, either over-the-counter or pessaries fit in the office, inserted in the vagina to support the urethra
  • A minimally invasive procedure in which our urologists inject urethral bulking gel around the urethra to bulk up the area
  • A sling procedure for moderate to severe incontinence

In addition to lifestyle modifications, men can try the following.

  • A Cunningham clamp to control the flow of urine in the penis
  • A sling procedure for mild to moderate incontinence
  • An artificial urinary sphincter for men with moderate to severe incontinence

Patients can improve their quality of life with a visit to our Sugar Land and Houston urologist

Hannah Pham MD wants to help men and women live their best lives with stress urinary incontinence.

“I want to make them feel comfortable and help them understand the condition,” she says. “I try to give them all the options that are available and work together to come up with the best plan for them.”

For an appointment with our Houston urologist Dr. Pham, contact us.

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