PinnacleHealth now offers a Women’s Continence Center

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence means the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control—the inability to predict when and where urination and/or bowel movements will occur. Bladder or bowel control—the inability to predict when and where urination and/or bowel movements will occur. This common disorder is experienced by as many as 18 million women of all ages. About half of adult women say they have had urine leakage at one time or another. Many women report it is a daily problem. Embarrassment and shame can prevent people from seeking help. Many mistakenly believe that nothing can be done to correct it.

Many women are afraid or embarrassed to mention their problem to their healthcare provider. Instead, they suffer in silence, wearing absorbent pads. Not only is this practice costly, it can lead to skin irritation and diminished self-esteem. Incontinence is not a hopeless condition. In and of itself incontinence is not a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition that affects men and women of all ages and backgrounds. There are treatments available, including medication, exercise and minimally invasive surgery, which means that women no longer have to live with the worry of leaking urine.

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

Do you leak urine when:

• Laughing
• Coughing and sneezing
• Jumping or exercising
• Lifting, bending or stretching
• Climbing stairs
• Getting up from a chair
• During intercourse

Do you:

• Leak urine as soon as you need to go to the bathroom
• Feel that your bladder is never completely empty 
• Leak urine even when you drink small amounts of liquid
• Leak when you hear or touch running water
• Have frequent uncontrollable urges to urinate
• Go to the bathroom more than seven times per day

Bladder issues, like many other health concerns, are easier to treat the earlier you detect the problem. Don't “just live with it.” Contact us today to find out the facts about urinary incontinence and what you can do about it!

PinnacleHealth Women's Continence Center
Community Campus
Medical Sciences Pavilion, Suite 305
4300 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg PA
(717) 724-6788 • (717) 703-0099 Fax

8 Ways to Overcome Embarrassment

Many women are embarrassed to talk to their healthcare providers about their symptoms. This embarrassment though is keeping them from being healthy.  Here are 8 ways to get over your embarrassment and get the support you need and deserve!

1. Stop and think! Did you even do something to be embarrassed about? Many symptoms are not under your control and therefore you needn't feel embarrassed about them.  
2. Think positive!  Embarrassment is a negative thought. If you continue to repeat it you will continue to feel bad both physically and emotionally.  Instead, look on the bright side.  Consider what you are embarrassed about and focus on the positive, i.e. it could have been worse, only your ego not your physical body was bruised etc. 
3. Talk about it! Embarrassment is a very isolating feeling.  Often if you share your feelings with a trusted friend (or physician!) you will find you have no need to be embarrassed. 
4. Trust yourself.  This is likely not the first time you've felt embarrassed.  You've always recovered before; trust that you can face the embarrassing situation and still come out on top!
5. This too shall pass! Embarrassment is temporary so don’t let it get in the way of your long-term well-being.
6.  Relax! Easier said than done, but you have to realize that you might be taking yourself or the situation too seriously.  You are human, have flaws and make mistakes and that’s ok!
7. Face your fears.  Embarrassment is based on fear of what other people think.  You should not be afraid to talk to you physician. Acknowledge that feeling, step past it and trust that your physician is not looking to judge you, only to help you. 
8. Look for the laugh.  Is there anything humorous about your situation that could help you look at it in a more relaxed manner?  Taking a step back to laugh at the situation can be helpful!

Being brave enough to talk about embarrassing conditions will make you feel better both mentally and physically!