Urinary incontinence — the inability to stop urine leakage — is a common problem that affects millions of people. There are different types of incontinence, including urge, stress and overflow.

The disorder is often left untreated, as sufferers are either too embarrassed to admit they have a problem or don't know what help is available. Untreated, urinary incontinence can interfere with a normal, healthy lifestyle.

Although a small percentage of men suffer from the problem, it is estimated that as many as 40 percent of adult women will experience some form of incontinence in their lifetime. That's the bad news. The good news, however, is that incontinence is very treatable by means of special exercises, medications, and in some cases, surgery.

Until recently, surgical treatments required major surgery. While effective, the procedure was painful, left a noticeable scar and patients would wear catheters for a period of time.

Recently, physicians at Southern Regional Medical Center began to offer a new, safer and more effective treatment option, a procedure called tension-free transvaginal tape. The procedure is done by means of minimally invasive surgery, there is no visible scar, patients can go home the same day and there is no need to wear a catheter. The patient stays awake during the procedure and experiences little if any pain. Southern Regional Medical Center is one of a very few facilities in Atlanta offering this procedure.

“This is truly a revolutionary surgery,” says James M. Libby, MD, FACS, a board-certified urologist at Southern Regional Medical Center. “No person should have to live with incontinence. While surgery may not be our first option, it's comforting to know that if other nonsurgical methods are ineffective, we can offer a minimally invasive procedure that quickly returns the sufferer to a normal lifestyle.

“Patients who could not sneeze without experiencing leakage, or go to a park to play with their children or grandchildren because of incontinence, are now able to do all those things and more without fear of embarrassment,” he added.

Women are more likely to develop incontinence than men are because their internal organ structure is different to allow for childbirth. Pregnancy, childbirth and decreased levels of the female hormone estrogen can weaken pelvic floor muscles, allowing organs such as the bladder, urethra and uterus to shift out of place and cause leakage.

Women or men who suffer from incontinence are encouraged to seek medical attention.

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