Behavior Modification Therapy for Female Urinary Incontinence

For women with mild-to-moderate stress or urgency incontinence, or both types—which is referred to as “mixed incontinence”—behavior modification therapy can reduce incontinence symptoms. Your NYU Langone doctor may refer you to Rusk Rehabilitation, where specialists can teach you techniques and exercises that can help you control your bladder.

Your rehabilitation specialist may teach you what are known as bladder retraining techniques. These include teaching yourself to urinate at preset intervals; performing deep breathing and relaxation exercises when the urge to urinate strikes between scheduled times; and limiting or refraining from alcohol, coffee, soda, and tea, which can aggravate the symptoms of incontinence.

You may also learn pelvic floor exercises, which help you strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. This can help prevent or reduce urine leakage.