Woman confidently discussing urinary incontinence treatment at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta

Urinary Incontinence Treatment in Augusta, GA

Regain Confidence and Bladder Control

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Common In:Adults 30+
Primary Causes:Pelvic Floor Weakness, Aging
Treatment Time:28 Minutes
Results:2-3 Weeks to Improve
Educational illustration of urinary incontinence types at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta
Understanding Your Pelvic Health

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Recognizing the Signs

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder control, ranging from occasional minor leaks when you cough or sneeze to sudden, intense urges that make it difficult to reach a bathroom in time. The condition encompasses several types, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence, each driven by different underlying mechanisms within the pelvic floor and bladder systems.

When you find yourself crossing your legs before a sneeze, mapping out every restroom before leaving the house, or avoiding activities you once enjoyed because of unpredictable leakage, you are experiencing the daily reality of urinary incontinence. These are not minor inconveniences but meaningful disruptions to your sense of freedom and spontaneity.

Many patients describe a growing sense of isolation, turning down social invitations, skipping exercise classes, or feeling anxious during meetings or travel. The emotional toll of bladder control challenges often goes unspoken, yet it profoundly affects self-confidence and quality of life for millions of adults.

Diagram of pelvic floor anatomy and bladder control mechanisms at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta
The Science

Why Urinary Incontinence Happens

Understanding the Root Causes

The pelvic floor is a complex group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that supports the bladder, urethra, and surrounding organs. In healthy adults, these muscles contract and relax in coordination to maintain continence. When pelvic floor muscles weaken or become damaged, the support system that keeps the urethra closed during physical exertion is compromised, often leading to stress urinary incontinence.

Urge incontinence involves a different mechanism, where the detrusor muscle of the bladder contracts involuntarily, creating a sudden and overwhelming need to urinate. This overactivity may result from neurological changes, bladder irritation, or disruptions in the signaling pathway between the brain and bladder. Research shows that approximately 25 to 45 percent of adults experience some form of urinary incontinence during their lifetime.

Mixed incontinence, the most common presentation, combines elements of both stress and urge types. The interplay between weakened pelvic floor support and bladder muscle overactivity creates a compounding effect, where each condition exacerbates the other, leading to progressively worsening symptoms without proper intervention.

Detailed view of pelvic floor muscle structure and function at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta
Deeper Understanding

Pelvic Floor Muscle Function

How Muscle Weakness Affects Bladder Control

The pelvic floor muscles function as a dynamic sling that supports the bladder and urethra while maintaining the pressure gradient necessary for continence. These muscles must generate sufficient resting tone to keep the urethra sealed and produce rapid reflexive contractions during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, laughing, or lifting.

Over time, factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal decline, and aging cause progressive weakening and thinning of pelvic floor muscle fibers. Studies demonstrate that pelvic floor muscle strength can decrease by up to 50 percent in women following vaginal delivery, and natural collagen loss after age 40 further compromises the supportive connective tissue framework that these muscles rely upon.

Neuromuscular control also plays a critical role in continence. The pudendal nerve, which innervates the pelvic floor, can sustain damage during childbirth or become less efficient with age. When nerve signaling weakens, the muscles cannot respond quickly enough to sudden increases in abdominal pressure, creating the leakage episodes characteristic of stress incontinence.

Lifestyle factors affecting bladder control and pelvic health at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta
Contributing Factors

What Accelerates Urinary Incontinence?

Identifying Your Triggers

01

Pregnancy & Childbirth

Vaginal delivery stretches and can damage pelvic floor muscles and nerves, with risk increasing with each subsequent birth and prolonged labor.

02

Hormonal Changes

Declining estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause thin the urethral lining and weaken pelvic floor tissue, reducing natural continence support.

03

Age-Related Decline

Natural aging reduces muscle mass and connective tissue elasticity throughout the pelvic floor, with bladder capacity also decreasing over time.

04

Chronic Pressure

Persistent coughing, heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, and obesity place ongoing strain on pelvic floor muscles, accelerating weakening and fatigue.

05

Prostate Conditions

In men, prostate enlargement or prostate surgery can damage the urinary sphincter and surrounding pelvic structures, leading to post-surgical incontinence.

06

Neurological Factors

Conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries can disrupt nerve signals between the brain and bladder, impairing voluntary control.

Ivy Collaborative Healthcare clinic interior in Augusta Georgia
Why Ivy Collaborative

Why Choose Ivy Collaborative Healthcare

Expert Care in Augusta

  • Comprehensive Assessment
  • Non-Invasive Technology
  • Personalized Treatment Plans
  • Discreet & Comfortable

Treatment Options Comparison

Finding Your Best Approach

Treatment Best For Session Time Results Timeline Maintenance
EmSella Pelvic Floor Therapy Stress, urge & mixed incontinence 28 minutes 2-3 weeks Every 6-12 months
Person concerned about bladder control issues at Ivy Collaborative Healthcare Augusta
Is This You?

You May Be Experiencing Urinary Incontinence If...

Recognizing When to Seek Help

  • Leakage During Activity
  • Sudden Urgent Need
  • Restroom Mapping
  • Nighttime Disruption
  • Protective Measures
  • Social Withdrawal
Your Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

About Urinary Incontinence

01 What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence results from weakened pelvic floor muscles, overactive bladder muscles, or a combination of both. Common contributing factors include pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes during menopause, prostate conditions in men, aging, obesity, and neurological conditions. Many patients experience multiple contributing factors simultaneously.

02 What is the best non-surgical treatment for incontinence?

EmSella Pelvic Floor Therapy is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology to strengthen the entire pelvic floor musculature. Each 28-minute session induces thousands of supramaximal contractions, far exceeding what voluntary exercises can achieve, making it one of the most effective non-surgical options available.

03 How does EmSella help with incontinence?

EmSella delivers focused electromagnetic energy to the pelvic floor, triggering thousands of powerful muscle contractions per session. These supramaximal contractions strengthen and re-educate weakened pelvic floor muscles, restoring the neuromuscular control necessary for maintaining bladder continence during daily activities.

04 How many EmSella sessions are needed for incontinence?

A typical EmSella treatment protocol consists of six sessions scheduled twice per week over three weeks. Many patients notice improvement after the first two to three sessions, with optimal results developing over the following weeks as pelvic floor muscles continue to strengthen and remodel.

05 Can men be treated for urinary incontinence?

Yes, EmSella is effective for both men and women experiencing urinary incontinence. In men, pelvic floor weakness often results from prostate surgery, aging, or chronic conditions. EmSella strengthens the male pelvic floor muscles that support bladder control, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional approaches.

06 Is incontinence treatment covered by insurance?

Coverage for incontinence treatment varies by insurance provider and plan. EmSella is typically considered an elective wellness treatment and may not be covered by most insurance plans. We recommend contacting our office to discuss payment options and any available financing during your consultation.

07 Can I prevent urinary incontinence from getting worse?

While some risk factors like aging and genetics cannot be changed, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can all help slow progression. Professional treatment such as EmSella can significantly improve symptoms and prevent further decline.

08 When should I see a professional about bladder control issues?

If incontinence affects your daily activities, social life, exercise routine, or sleep quality, it is time to seek professional help. Many patients wait years before seeking treatment, but earlier intervention typically leads to better outcomes. A consultation can help determine the type and severity of your incontinence and the most effective treatment approach.

Location2100 Central Avenue, Suite 6
Augusta, GA, 30904
EmailFrontDesk@IvyCollaborative.com
Phone(706) 364-3461
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Scientific References

  1. PubMed (PMID: 35030139) - National population-based survey data from 2015-2018 found that approximately 61.8% of adult U.S. women experience urinary incontinence, with prevalence increasing significantly with age.
  2. PubMed (PMID: 31172580) - A multi-center study of 75 women demonstrated that HIFEM pelvic floor stimulation safely and effectively treated stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence, with 81.33% of patients reporting significant symptom reduction after six sessions.
  3. PubMed (PMID: 37661792) - Systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed urinary incontinence prevalence ranges from 25% to 45% across populations, with significant impact on quality of life and daily functioning.
  4. PubMed (PMID: 30572737) - Comprehensive review establishing that urinary incontinence prevalence increases with age, affecting both men and women, with pelvic floor muscle weakness identified as a primary modifiable risk factor.