Stress Urinary Incontinence

Paul H. Chung, MD, FACS

Reconstructive Urologist & Erectile Dysfunction Specialist located in Philadelphia, PA

Up to one-third of all American adults suffer from some type of urinary incontinence today. Millions of men develop urinary incontinence after developing enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or other urological problems. Experienced male urinary incontinence specialist Paul H. Chung, MD, offers advanced urinary incontinence care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Call the office closest to you for relief now.

Stress Urinary Incontinence Q & A

What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence is a common kind of incontinence that happens when physical activity or sudden movement places major pressure on your bladder, causing you to leak urine. This kind of urinary incontinence generally happens when the muscles supporting your bladder aren’t working as they should, and you may end up having accidents, or at least urine dribbling, regularly as a result.

Many patients develop poor quality of life due to this issue and may be reluctant to leave their homes to participate in regular activities. Patients may also be burdened by urine odor and leaking with sexual activity and the financial cost of pads and diapers.

How is stress urinary incontinence treated?

Since stress urinary incontinence is a structural issue with the muscles supporting the bladder, no medications will help. Dr. Chung first offers lifestyle changes and physical therapy as initial treatments; however, many patients need to proceed with surgery.

Fortunately, he’s a fellowship-trained reconstructive urologist with specialty training in the surgical management of stress urinary incontinence.

If you’re a prostate or other pelvic cancer survivor, if you’ve undergone previous surgery for enlarged prostate or other male urological issues, or if you need revision surgery, Dr. Chung might recommend surgery such as a urethral sling or artificial urinary sphincter.

Urethral sling

A urethral sling treats urinary incontinence by slightly compressing the urethra with a mesh sleeve and then repositioning it in the ideal place. The sling is always at work and does not require any activation. It is best for patients suffering from low to medium volume incontinence.

Artificial urinary sphincter

An artificial urinary sphincter includes a cuff that circles your urethra, a pump in your scrotal skin, and a balloon implanted in your abdomen. You will gently squeeze the pump each time you urinate to open the cuff to allow urine to pass. This system is best for patients with a medium to high volume incontinence or those who want the best chance of becoming dry.

As a fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeon with specialized training in urethral slings and artificial urinary sphincters, Dr. Chung can help all of the following candidates with incontinence surgery.

First-time surgery patients
Revision surgery for patients who already have a sling or artificial urinary sphincter
Replacement surgery for patients who had a sling or artificial urinary sphincter removed

Dr. Chung offers thoroughly customized care for all types of urinary incontinence. Call the office located nearest you to get urinary incontinence treatment in Philadelphia now.