Incontinence Specialist

Rudolf Novak, MD, FRCSC, ARDMS -  - OB/GYN

Rudolf Novak, MD, FRCSC, ARDMS

OB/GYN located in Thunder Bay, ON

Up to 30% of women experience some form of incontinence after menopause. Women in Thunder Bay, Ontario trust Dr. Rudolf Novak with their urinary issues. Though it may seem like an embarrassing personal problem, urinary incontinence is a subject you don’t have to hesitate to bring up to Dr. Novak. He compassionately recommends devices, exercises, medications, or surgical treatments to give you back your bladder control. Ask your provider to refer you to Dr. Novak for a consultation.

Incontinence Q & A

What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition that results in involuntary bladder leakage or loss of bladder control. Three types of urinary incontinence affect women:

  • Urge incontinence: the bladder resists holding urine
  • Stress incontinence: the urethra doesn’t close off the bladder completely
  • Mixed incontinence: urge and stress incontinence co-occur

What causes incontinence?

Several factors cause urinary incontinence, including the temporary incontinence caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Weakened pelvic floor muscles

Weakened pelvic floor muscles, the muscles that support the bladder and rectum, are the primary cause of stress incontinence. Childbirth and aging cause the pelvic floor muscles to lose strength. Those weakened floor muscles cannot withstand the force of activities like coughing, sneezing, or jumping.

Bladder spasms

Bladder spasms cause urge incontinence. These involuntary spasms make you feel the urge to urinate when you hear the sound of running water or feel cold sensations, for example.

Obesity

Obesity contributes to incontinence, too. The excess weight puts extra pressure on the bladder, compounding your problem.

How can I improve my bladder control?

One of the best ways to improve weakened pelvic floor muscles is to perform Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises involve holding a static contraction in the muscles that stop urination in 10-second increments.

Bladder training is another method to increase control of urination. To regain bladder control, you can try the following:

  • Holding off urination
  • Taking scheduled trips to the bathroom
  • Controlling fluid and caffeine intake
  • Losing weight
  • Quitting smoking

Finally, the most important step is talking to Dr. Novak about your incontinence issues. Although it’s a sensitive subject, urinary incontinence is a common problem that Dr. Novak handles with skill and compassion.

What medical treatments are available for incontinence?

In addition to those self-care measures, Dr. Novak offers medical devices, medication, and surgical procedures to improve your bladder control.

Medical devices

Dr. Novak provides vaginal cones, devices (e.g., Uresta®), or pessaries for incontinence intervention. A vaginal cone helps you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Pessaries prevent leakage.

Medication

Incontinence medication, such as tolterodine or oxybutynin, and hormone replacement therapy help relax an overactive bladder.

Medical procedures

MonaLisa® Touch therapy has been shown to relieve incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms.

If you experience incontinence, reach out to Dr. Novak for relief. He accepts self-referred patients who want to discuss MonaLisa Touch laser therapy.