It is estimated that more than 75% of women are affected by bothersome waterwork symptoms. But there are many ways to control these symptoms and they do not need to control your life.

A great many women suffer from symptoms relating to storage of urine in the bladder. An overactive bladder can cause bothersome symptoms of frequency and having to rush to the toilet and being unable to hold on (urgency) and this can lead to leakage of urine (incontinence). More than 3 million women in the UK of all ages experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. It is twice as common in women as in men.

Incontinence is the sudden, unintentional release of urine. It is one of those things that no one finds particularly easy to talk about. It can be a nuisance and uncomfortable. Sometimes, urinary incontinence can limit your life so that you end up restricting or avoiding physical activity, travel or social relationships because of it.

Stress incontinence is leakage of urine on coughing, straining or any exertion, and is common in women who have had children. This is due to weakness of the muscle which squeezes and closes the water pipe [sphincter] and weakness of the pelvic muscles which support the bladder and the womb. Urge incontinence is leakage of urine with urgency. This is caused by an overactive bladder. It is not uncommon to have a combination of both stress and urge incontinence (mixed incontinence).

There are many approaches to tackling these problems including life style changes, exercises and medication. We are also able to offer, where appropriate, some of the most up to date techniques such as BOTOX injections into the bladder, injection of bulking agents into the water pipe (urethra). Also we can offer minimally invasive surgery using trans-vaginal tapes (TVT) and other slings.

We recognise the significant effects that urinary symptoms can have and are able to offer prompt, thorough and appropriate investigations necessary to provide the reassurance, advice and treatment which can improve quality of life.