Incontincence in women

Scientists have been doing studies about human incontinence, which is sudden release of urine after feeling a small urge to urinate. What causes it is unknown. A medicine called anticholinergics relaxes the bladder muscles and prevent spasms from happening. The problem is that this medicine may have some side effects.

FDA approved botox to help relax the bladder muscles, but it is only approved for people who have suffered from neurological disorders, like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. FDA did not approve botox for people with no neurological disorders.

Scientist made studies on women with incontinence and separated them into two groups one group taking oral medicine, anticholinergics, and a saline injection in their muscle bladder, and the other group taking an injection of botox and a placebo oral medicine. 90% of both groups responded to treatments within a month, and after 6 months 70% percent of women said their symptoms were adequately controlled. When they stopped taking the medicine their more than half of them didn't show any symptoms but the other half did after 9 months. The group with botox showed better results than the oral medicine. Although botox has more side effects like incomplete bladder emptying and urinary tract infections, it is being considered as the first line treatment for incontinence.

The article can be found in the following web page:
http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/october2012/10152012incontinence.htm