Quality Care for Bladder Problems in Arizona

Women are uniquely prone to bladder problems. Bladder problems affect many women regardless of age. Common bladder issues include:

Bladder problems can affect many aspects of a woman’s quality of life, including: 

  • Daily activities
  • Sexual health
  • Emotional well-being

Dignity Health doctors provide complete treatment for women’s bladder problems in Arizona. We have three excellent facilities in the Arizona area fully dedicated to women’s health services:

Use our online Find a Doctor tool to schedule an appointment today.

Symptoms of Bladder Problems

Common symptoms of bladder problems are: 

  • Frequent or sudden urge to urinate
  • Frequent urination (more than eight times during the day or more than two times at night)
  • Urinary leakage
  • Painful urination
  • Cloudy urine
  • Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen
  • Pain during sex

Causes of Bladder Problems

Factors that increase a woman’s risk of bladder problems include:

  • Being overweight. Being overweight increases the risk of bladder problems, especially incontinence.
  • Medical conditions. Diabetes, for instance, increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
  • Hormonal changes. Bladder issues are more common after menopause, due in part to hormonal shifts.
  • Pregnancy. Some of the muscles that control the bladder and urethra (the tube that urine travels down to leave the body) can be stretched out of shape.
  • Childbirth. Vaginal childbirth can stretch and weaken pelvic muscles that affect the urinary system. Episiotomy and the use of forceps increase the risk of bladder problems.

Treatment for Bladder Problems at Dignity Health

Treatment and prevention options depend upon your specific issue, risk factors, lifestyle habits, and medical history. Options include:

  • Lifestyle modifications. Losing weight (i)f you are overweight and eating a healthy diet can improve your overall health and decrease bladder issues. Other useful lifestyle modifications include drinking cranberry juice and plenty of water and drinking fewer beverages with caffeine. Bladder training is a lifestyle modification that is used to treat incontinence.
  • Medication. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. Doctors prescribe other medications to decrease the urge to urinate and relax and muscles and nerves that affect the bladder.
  • Medical devices. Doctors sometimes recommend specially designed medical devices to deliver electric current to nerves and muscles of the urinary tract to treat overactive bladder. Doctors sometimes recommend a pessary to treat incontinence. A pessary is a small plastic ring that supports the bladder or urethra.
  • Surgery. Doctors may perform surgery (s)uch as bladder suspension or incontinence sling surgery to correct bladder issues if other treatments have failed to provide sufficient relief.

With appropriate diagnosis and treatment of bladder issues, many women are able to resume their usual activities and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Dignity Health provides comprehensive women’s health services, including treatment for bladder problems, in Arizona.