Incontinence Specialist
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Andrey Petrikovets, MD, FACOG
Urogynecologist located in Los Angeles, CA
Pregnancy and childbirth are exciting life events for many women. However, the stress placed on your body can affect many of the organs and muscles in your pelvic area, which increases your risk of incontinence. Urogynecology specialist, Andrey Petrikovets, MD, FACOG, provides expert care for women suffering from incontinence, including urinary and fecal incontinence. To schedule an appointment, call the Downtown Los Angeles, California office or use the online booking feature today.
Incontinence Q & A
What is incontinence?
Incontinence is a medical term that refers to your inability to control the contents of your bladder or bowel. Both urinary and fecal incontinence can affect men and women; however, they're observed in women more frequently. While you may consider your incontinence an embarrassing condition, it’s treatable.
Dr. Petrikovets is a urogynecology specialist and underwent fellowship training to be able to diagnose and treat urinary and fecal incontinence in women.
What are the types of incontinence?
There are several types of incontinence that are differentiated by their symptoms. The types that most often affect women include:
Fecal incontinence
Fecal incontinence refers to your inability to control the contents of your bowel, which may cause loss of control over gas or bowel movements. Fecal incontinence occurs if your anal sphincter is malfunctioning. In women, childbirth can damage the anal sphincter, leading to fecal incontinence.
Stress urinary incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence affects 10-20% of women. This type of incontinence causes involuntary loss of urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. Stress urinary incontinence develops due to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles or damage to bladder neck support.
Urge urinary incontinence
Urge urinary incontinence, which is also called overactive bladder, causes you to feel an intense and sudden urge to urinate. The intense urge may make it difficult for you to reach the bathroom before you lose control over your urine. Urge urinary incontinence occurs due to involuntary contractions of your bladder.
Some women suffer from both stress and urge urinary incontinence, which is referred to as mixed incontinence.
What are the treatments for incontinence?
Treatment for incontinence depends on the type of incontinence you have and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Petrikovets specializes in incontinence and develops individualized treatment plans aimed at helping you regain control over your bladder and bowel.
Treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Bowel and bladder training
- Medication
Dr. Petrikovets also offers specialized treatments for incontinence, including surgery specific to your incontinence. For severe fecal and urge urinary incontinence, he may suggest sacral neuromodulation, which is an implanted device that sends low-voltage electrical signals along your sacral nerve to help you regain control over your bowel and bladder.
To resolve your incontinence with the help of a medical specialist, contact Andrey Petrikovets, MD, FACOG, by phone or online today.
