Urinary incontinence in women: treatment in Basel
Urinary incontinence woman Basel – stress incontinence, urge incontinence, pelvic floor, treatment
FMH Gynecology
Board certified
SGGG
Member
Colposcopy diploma
Certified
DE · EN
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Spalenvorstadt 3
4051 Basel
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine. The main types are stress incontinence (urine loss on coughing, sneezing, exercise), urge incontinence (sudden, hard-to-suppress urge to urinate) and a mixed form.
Incontinence is one of the most common complaints in gynaecology, but is often concealed for years out of embarrassment. In most cases, however, it can be significantly improved – with conservative measures, medication or targeted procedures.
At the practice of Dr. Wagner at Spalenvorstadt 3 in Basel, assessment is discreet, structured and unhurried. The goal is an individually tailored therapy – from conservative pelvic floor building to surgical treatment.
Key facts
At a glance.
- Roughly one in three women is affected by urinary incontinence at some point in life.
- Stress incontinence and urge incontinence have different causes and treatments.
- Pelvic floor training is the most effective first-line measure for stress incontinence.
- Local oestrogen can significantly relieve symptoms during and after menopause.
- Surgery (e.g. TVT sling) is highly effective, but only sensible after conservative therapy has been exhausted.
- Our practice has its own EMP Chair Pro: high-intensity electromagnetic impulses (HI-EMP) trigger thousands of involuntary pelvic floor contractions – fully clothed, painless, approx. 28 minutes per session.
- Incontinence is treatable – it is not a normal part of ageing.
Causes
Background and risk factors.
Stress incontinence usually results from weakness of the pelvic floor and the urethral closure mechanism – often after childbirth, during menopause, or with connective tissue weakness. Urge incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder muscle, often without an identifiable organic cause.
Risk factors
- Vaginal births, especially multiple births or a large baby
- Menopause and oestrogen deficiency
- Overweight and chronic cough
- Connective tissue weakness, genital prolapse
- Chronic constipation, heavy physical work
- Neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease)
Frequency
Around 25–45% of women report symptoms of urinary incontinence over the course of their lives; the frequency increases markedly with age.
Symptoms & findings
How does it present?
Typical symptoms
- Urine loss on coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise (stress incontinence)
- Sudden, barely controllable urge to urinate with urine loss (urge incontinence)
- Frequent urination during the day (>8 times) and at night (nocturia)
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Combination of several symptoms (mixed incontinence)
Common incidental findings
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Sensation of prolapse or a palpable bulge in the vaginal area
When is it detected?
Many women only seek help after years.
Early assessment pays off
the sooner the pelvic floor is strengthened, the better the prognosis.
Diagnostics
How the diagnosis is made.
Assessment begins with a careful history and a bladder diary over 2–3 days. It is supplemented by a gynaecological examination, a urine test, post-void residual measurement by ultrasound, and a cough stress test. In unclear or complex cases, urodynamic testing is arranged at a specialised centre.
Examinations
- History: symptoms, triggers, fluid intake, births, medications
- Bladder diary (2–3 days)
- Gynaecological examination including prolapse assessment
- Urine status, urine culture if needed
- Ultrasound: bladder, post-void residual, genital organs
- Cough stress test
- If needed: referral for urodynamic testing
What do the findings mean?
The goal of diagnostics is to distinguish between stress, urge and mixed incontinence and to identify any accompanying prolapse. Only this classification allows for targeted, effective therapy.
Treatment
Possible approach.
Watchful waiting
The basis of every therapy
pelvic floor training under the guidance of specialised physiotherapy, weight optimisation, treatment of chronic cough and constipation, adjusted fluid intake, and bladder training for an overactive bladder. In addition, we offer training with the EMP Chair Pro at the practice: you sit fully clothed on a treatment chair that uses high-intensity electromagnetic impulses (HI-EMP) to contract the entire pelvic floor musculature involuntarily – far more intensely than voluntary exercise can achieve. A session lasts around 28 minutes, is painless and needs no downtime; a series of several sessions is usual. Details at /en/services/emp-chair.
Medication
Anticholinergics or mirabegron are used for urge incontinence – here too the EMP Chair Pro can help by strengthening the pelvic floor and improving its activation. During and after menopause, local oestrogen significantly improves the mucosa, sensitivity and susceptibility to infection. Pessaries can be a very effective conservative option for stress incontinence and/or prolapse.
Surgery
For pronounced stress incontinence with insufficient response to conservative therapy, tension-free sub-urethral slings (TVT/TVT-O) are established and effective. For treatment-refractory overactive bladder, botulinum toxin can be injected into the bladder muscle. Surgical procedures are performed in collaboration with a specialised uro-gynaecological clinic.
Prevention
What you can do yourself.
- Regular pelvic floor training – especially after childbirth and during menopause
- Keep weight within a healthy range
- Treat chronic cough and constipation consistently
- Use correct technique for heavy lifting, actively engage the pelvic floor
- Seek medical advice early at the first symptoms – don't wait
One appointment. One main concern. So we can give you our full, unhurried attention, we address one main topic per appointment. We're happy to schedule additional or complex questions in a separate appointment. This is what allows consultations to run on time and without long waiting times – thank you for your understanding.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ.
Related topics
Keep reading.
- Pelvic floor training with the EMP Chair Pro
HI-EMP chair at our practice – fully clothed, painless, approx. 28 minutes.
- Intimate health
EMP Chair Pro and CO₂RE Intima® for stress incontinence.
- Menopause
- Annual check-up and Pap smear
- Gynaecological ultrasound
- Lichen sclerosus
Medically responsible.
Dr. med. Anna Margareta Wagner is a board-certified FMH specialist in gynecology and obstetrics with her own practice at Spalenvorstadt 3 in Basel. Special focus on surgical gynecology; further focus areas: gynecological check-ups, colposcopy and dysplasia consultations, intimate surgery, pregnancy care, and consultations for girls and adolescents.
- FMH specialist certification in gynecology and obstetrics
- Special focus: surgical gynecology
- SGGG member
- Certified colposcopy diploma
- Languages: German, English
- Service area: Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, northwestern Switzerland
The content on this page is reviewed regularly against current specialist medical recommendations.
Sources
Your questions – discussed in a safe space.
Every situation is individual. During your consultation, we take the time to review your findings and find the right next step together.