Leaks are common, and treatable
Urinary incontinence care for women and men
Leaking when you laugh, rushing and not making it, or a steady dribble after prostate treatment: each has a different cause and a different fix. Our urologists sort out which type you have before recommending anything.
What kinds of urinary incontinence are there?
There are three main types. Stress leaks happen with a cough, laugh, lift or jump because the support around the urethra is weak; urge leaks follow a sudden must-go feeling from an overactive bladder; overflow leaks come from a bladder that does not empty and spills over.
Many people have more than one type, which is why the evaluation matters.
Why do women leak with exercise or coughing?
Pregnancy, childbirth and lower estrogen around menopause can loosen the pelvic floor support beneath the urethra. When pressure rises in the belly, urine can slip past. It is common, and it does not mean you have to give up the things you enjoy.
Why do men leak after prostate treatment?
Prostate surgery or radiation can weaken the sphincter muscle that holds urine in, so some men leak with movement afterward. Leakage often improves over the first months, and when it does not, there are good surgical options.
How do our urologists evaluate leaking?
Your visit starts with questions about when you leak and how much, then an exam and a urine test. A bladder scan checks emptying, and some people have urodynamic testing or a look inside the bladder with a thin scope.
Women can read Dr. Dev Mally’s step-by-step answers in Bladder leakage in women, and leaks that come with a sudden urge are covered on our overactive bladder page.
Which incontinence treatments does Advanced Urology offer?
Treatment is matched to the type of leak. Pelvic floor exercises and bladder training come first for many people, along with medicines for urge leaks; procedures follow when they are needed.
- Pelvic floor therapy, including magnetic pelvic floor sessions you sit through fully clothed
- Bladder Botox and InterStim nerve stimulation for urge leaks
- Bulkamid, a bulking gel placed through a scope, and midurethral slings for women with stress leaks
- Male slings and the artificial urinary sphincter for men with stress leaks, most often after prostate treatment
What is recovery like after a sling or sphincter?
Most of these procedures take place at our Snellville surgery center as outpatient care, so you recover at home. You will be asked to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few weeks while the area heals, and an artificial sphincter is usually switched on at a follow-up visit once healing is complete.
Is there a video about urinary incontinence?
Yes. This short video is from the official Advanced Urology channel.
Watch: Dr. Herman Bagga discusses options for Urinary Stress Incontinence What the video covers: Dr. Herman Bagga and Boston Scientific discuss the signs, symptoms and treatment options for stress urinary incontinence.
Which of our urologists see patients for this?
These urologists list it on their Advanced Urology profiles and see patients in Snellville or Conyers.
- Jitesh Patel, MD · Snellville
- A. Dev Mally, MD · Snellville
- Marc Greenstein, DO · Conyers
- Kushan Radadia, MD · Conyers
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners who help with it: Jordon Blackmon, PA-C. They are not urologists.
Which articles go deeper on this?
Short answers from Advanced Urology on the questions we hear most.
What do people ask us about urinary incontinence?
Is leaking just part of getting older?
Leaking is more common with age, but it is not something you have to accept. Most people improve with treatment.
Do pelvic floor exercises really help?
They help many people, especially with stress leaks. Our team can show you how to do them correctly or set up guided therapy.
Can menopause make leaking worse?
Yes. Lower estrogen can weaken support and make the bladder more sensitive. Our urologists can talk with you about treatments that help.
What is a midurethral sling?
A narrow mesh band set beneath the urethra as a support. It is used for stress leaks in women.
How is leaking after prostate surgery treated?
Pelvic floor exercises come first. If leaks continue, a male sling or an artificial urinary sphincter are the surgical options our urologists discuss.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
Some insurance plans require one. Please check with your plan, and call us if you have questions.
More from Advanced Urology: Urinary incontinence · Artificial urinary sphincter · Magnetic pelvic floor therapy
Related care: Overactive bladder · Prostate cancer · Enlarged prostate (BPH) · All care
Where we see you: Snellville office and surgery center · Conyers clinic · What to bring and insurance
Ready to talk it through?
Get to know our team, then give us a call. We’ll gladly find a day and time that work for you.