Urinary incontinence affects over thirteen million Americans every year. Twice as many women as men are affected. The disorder causes shame, embarrassment and the loss of self-esteem, and people suffering from urinary incontinence are often too self-conscious to discuss the matter even with their doctors. This is unfortunate, as urinary incontinence treatment can often improve symptoms.
Because of the social stigma that surrounds incontinence, volunteering for urinary incontinence clinical trials takes some courage. The benefits, however, are many. Urinary incontinence clinical trials allow you to have access to the most recent research, treatment options, and urinary incontinence medications.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Age used to be considered one of the primary causes of urinary incontinence, and the belief that incontinence is an inevitable part of aging remains strong. Age-related health problems cause incontinence, most notably strokes and weakened urethral muscles. Age itself does not.
Childbirth, injuries, nerve damage, obesity and complications from surgery are all causes of urinary incontinence. Knowing the cause of the incontinence is important: it determines what type of urinary incontinence treatment will best relieve the condition.
Urinary Incontinence Research
Urinary incontinence researchers are constantly looking for better treatment options, surgical interventions and urinary incontinence medications. A new surgical procedure known as TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) offers hope as a urinary incontinence treatment. Used to treat stress incontinence, TVT is a minor operation involving local anesthetic. The tape is inserted so it supports the urethra. During sudden movements, the tape holds the urethra up, preventing the leakage associated with stress incontinence.
The Courage to Participate in Urinary Incontinence Clinical Trials
Getting help for bladder problems can be a long process. It takes courage to seek out the treatment you need, and sometimes existing incontinence treatments don't work as well as you had hoped. That's one of the main arguments for participating in a clinical trial: you gain access to the latest developments and incontinence treatments.
In addition to access to experimental medications, participants in both the experimental and control groups receive top quality medical care at no charge, and learn more about dealing with bladder problems from experts in the field. By participating in an incontinence clinical trial you are taking control of your health. This site provides access to a number of trials. Registration does not oblige you to proceed, but it will enable you to find out about the options.
