Bladder and Urinary Conditions

Can I treat urinary incontinence without drugs or surgery?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m a middle-aged woman with urinary incontinence. Is there any way to treat this problem without drugs or surgery?

DEAR READER: I’m glad you asked. Surveys of women across the country indicate that millions have urinary incontinence — the inability to keep from sometimes leaking urine. The reason I’m glad you asked is that those same surveys indicate that more than half the women with this problem never seek care for it. That’s a shame, because there is much that can be done to fix it. There are several strategies you can try before considering medications or surgery.

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Is it safe to take antibiotics to prevent a urinary tract infection?

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DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m a 42-year-old woman. This year I’ve had four urinary tract infections. Each cleared up with antibiotics. But now my doctor wants me to take a preventive antibiotic every day. Is this safe?

DEAR READER: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are surprisingly common in women of all ages. Most UTIs occur in the bladder. As you know from experience, the symptoms include frequent, urgent and painful urination, bloody urine, and pressure or pain in your lower abdomen. Less often, your kidneys may become infected.

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