Adult patient discreetly seeking urinary incontinence care at Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services in Ashburn, VA

Urinary Incontinence in Ashburn, VA: Non-Invasive Relief for Bladder Control

Reclaim Confidence in Daily Life

Prevalence:25-50% women, 11-34% men 60+
Types:Stress, Urge, Mixed, Overflow
Common In:Postpartum, perimenopausal, post-prostatectomy
Best For Treatment:Emsella HIFEM, pelvic floor PT
Educational visual on urinary incontinence and bladder control at Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services Ashburn
Understanding Your Pelvic Health

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Recognizing the Signs

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, ranging from a few drops with a cough or laugh to a sudden, urgent need that does not give you time to reach the bathroom. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), bladder control problems affect roughly 25 to 50 percent of women and 11 to 34 percent of men over age 60, making this one of the most common and most under-discussed health concerns in adults.

When you experience bladder leakage, you may notice it during exercise, a sneeze, on the way to the bathroom, or with no warning at all. Many patients describe planning their day around restrooms, avoiding long meetings or trips, and quietly carrying spare clothing. Others find that nighttime trips to the bathroom break up their sleep and leave them exhausted.

Urinary incontinence is a medical condition, not a personal failing or an unavoidable part of aging. It is common, it is treatable, and there are non-invasive options that do not require surgery, daily medication or removing your clothes. The first step is an honest conversation with a clinician who takes the concern seriously.

Anatomical illustration of pelvic floor and bladder control at Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services Ashburn
The Science

Why Urinary Incontinence Happens

Understanding the Root Causes

Continence depends on the coordinated work of the bladder, the urethral sphincter and the pelvic floor muscles that support them. The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscle and connective tissue that holds the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum in place and contracts to keep urine in. When these muscles weaken or lose tone, even small increases in abdominal pressure from a cough, laugh or jump can push urine past the sphincter, producing stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence works through a different mechanism. The bladder muscle, called the detrusor, contracts when it should stay relaxed, sending an intense, sudden signal to urinate that may be impossible to delay. Mixed incontinence combines both stress and urge mechanisms, while overflow incontinence happens when the bladder does not empty completely, leaving small amounts of urine that leak out unpredictably.

For many patients, the most accessible first-line option is pelvic floor therapy with Emsella, which uses focused electromagnetic energy to retrain and strengthen the pelvic floor without surgery, medication or undressing. When indicated, we also coordinate with pelvic floor physical therapists or urologic specialists in the Loudoun County area.

Diverse adults representing male and female urinary incontinence at Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services
Deeper Understanding

Incontinence in Women and in Men

How Bladder Leakage Differs by Anatomy

In women, the most common drivers of urinary incontinence are pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, perimenopause and menopause. Pregnancy stretches the pelvic floor over months, and vaginal delivery can injure the muscles, fascia and nerves that support continence. Years later, declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause thins urethral tissues and weakens the pelvic floor, often producing the first noticeable leaks during exercise, sneezing or laughing.

In men, urinary incontinence most often follows prostate surgery. Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer can disrupt the urethral sphincter and the pelvic floor support around the bladder neck, leading to post-prostatectomy stress incontinence that may persist for months or longer. Men also experience urge incontinence from an overactive bladder, neurological conditions or, in some cases, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that interferes with normal emptying.

Both groups benefit from systematic strengthening of the pelvic floor. Emsella delivers thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session while you sit fully clothed, which is something most patients cannot replicate with self-directed Kegel exercises alone.

Contributing Factors

What Contributes to Urinary Incontinence?

Identifying Your Triggers

Childbirth

Pregnancy and especially vaginal delivery stretch and can injure the pelvic floor muscles, fascia and nerves that hold urine in.

Aging Pelvic Floor

Pelvic floor muscle mass and tone decline with age in both sexes, reducing the support around the bladder, urethra and rectum.

Menopause and Hormonal Changes

Lower estrogen during perimenopause and menopause thins urethral tissues and weakens the pelvic floor, often triggering first leaks.

Prostate Surgery in Men

Radical prostatectomy and other prostate procedures can damage the urethral sphincter and produce post-surgical stress incontinence.

Neurological Conditions

Diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, stroke and spinal cord issues can disrupt the nerve signals that coordinate bladder control.

Obesity

Higher abdominal pressure from excess weight strains the pelvic floor and increases the frequency and severity of stress leaks.

Modern Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services clinic interior in Ashburn Virginia for urinary incontinence care
Why Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric

Why Choose Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services for Urinary Incontinence Care in Ashburn, VA

Expert Care in Ashburn

  • Fully Clothed, No Surgery, No Medication
  • Emsella HIFEM Technology On-Site
  • Client-Centered Care
  • Honest, Integrative Approach

Treatment Options Comparison

Finding Your Best Approach

Treatment Best For Session Time Results Timeline Maintenance
Pelvic Floor Therapy with Emsella Stress, urge and mixed leakage 28 min in office After 6 sessions Optional touch-ups
Person reflecting on bladder leakage symptoms before contacting Gonzales-Vigilar Psychiatric Services
Is This You?

You May Be Experiencing Urinary Incontinence If...

Recognizing When to Seek Help

  • Bladder Leakage with Coughing, Laughing or Exercise
  • Sudden Strong Urge to Urinate
  • Frequent Nighttime Urination
  • Inability to Empty Bladder Completely
  • Embarrassment Limiting Activities
Your Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

About Urinary Incontinence

01 What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is caused by a combination of weakened pelvic floor muscles, an overactive bladder muscle, hormonal changes, nerve issues and structural changes from childbirth, prostate surgery or aging. Most patients have more than one contributing factor, which is why an honest assessment matters before choosing a treatment.

02 Does Emsella work for bladder leakage?

Yes. Emsella uses HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic) energy to trigger thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session. Published clinical studies show meaningful reductions in pad use and leakage episodes for stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence in both women and men. Results are not guaranteed for every patient, but most see noticeable improvement within the treatment course.

03 How many Emsella sessions are needed?

A standard course is six 28-minute sessions, typically scheduled twice a week over three weeks. Many patients begin to notice improvement after the third or fourth session, with continued progress for several weeks after the final treatment. Some patients schedule a maintenance session every few months to sustain results.

04 How does self-pay pricing work for Emsella?

Emsella is a self-pay service. We provide clear cost estimates upfront. Call 571-291-2449 and our practice will walk you through the financial details before you commit.

05 Can men with post-prostatectomy incontinence use Emsella?

Yes. Post-prostatectomy stress incontinence is one of the conditions Emsella was designed to address, and many male patients see improvement in pad use and leakage episodes through a standard course of pelvic floor therapy. We will review your surgical history and current symptoms to confirm Emsella is appropriate.

06 Do I have to undress for the treatment?

No. You sit fully clothed on the Emsella chair for the entire 28-minute session. There are no injections, incisions or invasive examinations, and the treatment area can be discussed and treated with full discretion.

07 When should I see a professional about urinary incontinence?

If bladder leakage has lasted more than a few weeks, has changed how you exercise, sleep or socialize, or is getting worse, schedule a consultation. Urinary incontinence is treatable, and earlier intervention generally produces better outcomes than waiting until symptoms are severe.

Location44031 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 200
Ashburn, VA, 20147
Emailfrontdesk@loudounpsychiatricservices.com
Phone571-291-2449
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Schedule Your Consultation

Scientific References

  1. PubMed (PMID: 32253855) - Samuels JB et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2019: prospective study of HIFEM technology (Emsella) for stress urinary incontinence demonstrates significant reduction in leakage episodes and pad use.
  2. PubMed (PMID: 33252835) - Hlavinka TC et al., 2020: clinical evaluation of HIFEM electromagnetic stimulation shows improvement in urinary incontinence symptoms and quality of life across mixed patient populations.
  3. PubMed (PMID: 30315906) - Milsom I and Gyhagen M, Climacteric 2019: review of urinary incontinence prevalence confirms 25 to 50 percent of adult women experience urinary leakage, with rates rising with age and parity.
  4. PubMed (PMID: 29478207) - Anderson CA et al., Cochrane Review 2015: pelvic floor muscle training improves urinary incontinence outcomes in men following radical prostatectomy.
  5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) - Patient education on bladder control problems, including types of urinary incontinence, contributing factors and treatment options.