Urinary Incontinence

At Signature Women’s Healthcare

we understand that many of our patients suffer silently from bladder problems and are often very reluctant to discuss this issue with anyone.

This is unfortunate, as involuntary loss of urine is a very common condition that can often be corrected. There are many causes of urinary incontinence and the choice of treatment is dependent on the correct diagnosis. Signature Women’s Healthcare uses state-of-the-art equipment, including multichannel cystometrics, to assist in this evaluation. Please contact us at your convenience to discuss any bladder problems you may have.

Contact Us

301 NW 179th Avenue
Suite 102
Pembroke Pines, FL 33029
Ph: (954) 447-1446

6175 NW 153 street
Suite 332
Miami Lakes, Fl 33014
Ph: (305) 330-9331

Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine. More than 15 million Americans suffer from this condition. Many of these people suffer in silence unnecessarily, and are prevented from doing activities and living the life they want to lead. Since incontinence can be managed or treated, the following information should help you discuss this condition and what treatments are available to you with one of our doctors. For millions of Americans, incontinence is not just a medical problem. It is a problem that also affects emotional, psychological and social well-being. Many people are afraid to participate in normal daily activities that might take them too far from a toilet, so it is particularly important to note that the great majority of incontinence causes can be treated successfully.

Coordinated activity between the urinary tract and the brain controls urinary function. The bladder stores urine because the smooth muscle of the bladder (detrusor muscle) relaxes and the bladder neck and urethral sphincter mechanism are closed. The urethral sphincter is a circular muscle that wraps around the urethra. During urination, the bladder neck opens, the sphincter relaxes and the bladder muscle contracts. Incontinence occurs if closure of the bladder neck is inadequate (stress incontinence, or SUI) or the bladder muscle is overactive and contracts involuntarily (urge incontinence, also known overactive bladder or OAB).

Below are a list of conditions and diseases that contribute and/or cause urinary incontinence:

  • urinary tract or vaginal infections
  • effects of medications
  • constipation
  • weakness of certain muscles in the pelvis
  • blocked urethra
  • Diseases and disorders involving the nervous system muscles (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury and stroke).
  • some types of surgery
  • diabetes
  • pregnancy and childbirth
  • overactive bladder
  • weakness of the muscles holding the bladder in place
  • weakness of the sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra
  • spinal cord injuries

Multiple factors have been found to be associated with urinary incontinence, yet the leading culprits of incontinence have been neurologic disease, and obstetric (or birth) trauma.

Studies have found that pregnancy, type of delivery and the number of children a woman has had are all factors that can increase the risk of incontinence. Women who delivered babies (via cesarean section or vaginal delivery) have much higher rates of stress incontinence than women who never delivered a baby. Women who developed incontinence during pregnancy or shortly after delivery have higher risk of sustained incontinence than those who did not. Increased parity (having more babies) also increases the risk.

Age is also known to be a factor. As the human body ages, muscle loss and weakness occur and the urinary tract is not spared. Menopausal women can also suffer from urine loss as a result of decreased estrogen levels. Interestingly, replacement estrogen has not been found to help the symptoms. Many medications have been associated with urinary incontinence. These include: diuretics, estrogen, benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, antidepressants, hypnotics, and laxatives. Poor overall general health has been associated with incontinence. Specifically, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, smoking history, Parkinson’s, back problems, obesity, Alzheimer’s, and pulmonary disease have all been associated with incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence: Stress incontinence is leakage that occurs when there is an increase in abdominal pressure caused by physical activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting, straining, getting out of a chair or bending over. The major risk factor for stress incontinence is damage to pelvic muscles that may occur during pregnancy and childbirth.

Urgency incontinence: Also referred to as “overactive bladder,” this type of incontinence is usually accompanied by a sudden, strong urge to urinate and an inability to get to the toilet in time. Frequently, some patients with urge incontinence may leak urine with no warning. Risk factors for urge incontinence include aging, obstruction of urine flow, inconsistent emptying of the bladder and a diet high in bladder irritants (such as coffee, tea, colas, chocolate and acidic fruit juices).

Patient Feedback

“Dr. Pablo is always a professional. Extremely caring, extremely thorough. Hands down my favorite healthcare provider. He truly is a Healer, office staff is very pleasant never a long wait.”

Star R.

“Recently had my first appointment as a new patient. Needed a practice closer to home and this one was recommended by a friend. Saw Sarduy and was very happy with him. Very friendly and made the exam quick and easy.”

Aubrey S.

“Dr. Pablo is the absolute most amazing doctor! Always makes you feel that you are his only patient. He truly provides patient-family-centered care. He makes time for your concerns, questions, feedback and always follows up. Dr. Pablo is very professional, kind, and advocate for women’s health”

Carla E.

“Dr. Sarduy is an amazing physician who truly cares for his patients. He is incredibly knowledgeable and he makes you feel at ease. The office in Miami Lakes is my favorite. Staff is friendly and have been with him for many years.”

Barbie M.

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