Becky's Story: Struggling with Incontinence

Living in Silence

Becky lived in silence for much of her life. She remembers being a 17-year-old cheerleader and dealing with urinary incontinence (UI). Urinary incontinence, the loss of voluntary bladder control which leads to urine leakage, can be temporary or chronic. In Becky’s case, it was chronic and she suffered with the issue and the embarrassment for years.

“Normally I would never be so vocal about this because, let’s be honest, the topic of incontinence is embarrassing. However, after living with incontinence for 20 years I feel compelled to tell my story to help other women who are living in silence.”

After giving birth to her daughter, Becky’s UI became quite a bit worse. She could no longer exercise, dance, or even play with her little girl without having to excuse herself to run to the bathroom. Eventually, Becky decided enough was enough. She decided to get herself some help.

Becky began her research the way many people do: she went online. That’s where she first learned about Lahey Hospital & Medical Center’s Urology Institute and discovered Dr. Arthur Mourtzinos.

Turning to an Expert

Being an expert in female urinary incontinence, Dr. Mourtzinos was able to quickly diagnose Becky’s problem and present her with a variety of treatment options. These options ranged from conservative physical therapies to minimally invasive surgical procedures. At Lahey, there are specialized physical therapists who work with women to help them strengthen the muscles of their pelvic floor. These exercises, called Kegel exercises, can be incredibly effective in helping women gain control of their bladder. There are also several minimally invasive surgical procedures ranging from an injection into the urethra to a sling procedure. Each of these procedures can elicit dramatic results for patients and, more importantly, a return to the lifestyle they want to live.

“It was the single best decision I ever made. I only wish I had done it sooner. It absolutely changed my life for the better.” Becky, Urologic Surgery Patient

After discussing her options with Dr. Mourtzinos, Becky decided to have the sling procedure. She says she was drawn to the procedure because it was so straight-forward and the recovery time was minimal. Several months later, Becky is still thrilled with her choice.

About Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC) is a world-renowned tertiary academic medical center known for its innovative technology, pioneering medical treatments and leading-edge research. As a physician-led hospital, LHMC offers a legacy of care and education committed to putting the patient at the center through a multidisciplinary, collaborative and team-based approach. LHMC’s research efforts and clinical trials cross numerous medical disciplines, providing patients with access to the latest options in treatment and care.

LHMC is a part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.

Urinary Incontinence Surgery Changed My Life