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You deserve to feel comfortable in your own body, and urinary incontinence should never stand in the way of the life you want to live. For many people, the condition quietly takes hold over months or years, slowly changing the way they move through the world, which activities they feel safe doing, which social situations they avoid, and how confidently they carry themselves each day. If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and more importantly, you do not have to keep managing it on your own.
Dr. Darren Lazare offers personalized, judgment-free care for patients across Regina and the surrounding communities of Saskatchewan. From your very first appointment, the focus is entirely on you: understanding your experience, identifying the root cause, and building a treatment plan around your needs and your goals.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder control, resulting in unintended urine leakage. It is a common medical condition that affects millions of Canadians, yet many people hesitate to discuss it with a healthcare provider because of embarrassment. That said, effective treatments exist, and early intervention can make a significant difference.
There are several distinct types of urinary incontinence, each with its own causes and characteristics:
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Leakage triggered by physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
- Urge Incontinence: A sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. This is often associated with an overactive bladder.
- Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence, where both types of leakage occur.
- Overflow Incontinence: The bladder does not empty completely, causing it to overflow and leak.
Understanding which type of incontinence you are experiencing is an important first step, and Dr. Lazare will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the most appropriate path forward for your situation.
Who is At Risk for Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can affect people of all backgrounds and age groups, though certain factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing the condition. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals seek care earlier and explore preventive strategies. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Sex: Women are more likely to develop stress incontinence due to the physical demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause on the pelvic floor muscles. Men who have undergone prostate surgery or who have an enlarged prostate may develop urge or overflow incontinence.
- Age: The muscles of the bladder and urethra tend to weaken over time. While incontinence is not inevitable with aging, it does become more prevalent in older adults.
- Pregnancy and Childbirth: Vaginal delivery can weaken pelvic floor muscles and damage the nerves that control the bladder, increasing the risk of incontinence.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts added pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles, which can contribute to leakage.
- Smoking: Chronic coughing associated with smoking can strain the pelvic floor, and tobacco use has been linked to bladder irritation.
- Family History: A genetic predisposition to pelvic floor dysfunction or overactive bladder may increase the risk for some individuals.
If you identify with one or more of these risk factors and are noticing changes in your bladder control, do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Lazare’s clinic for a consultation.
Urinary Incontinence Treatment Benefits
Choosing to seek treatment for urinary incontinence is about more than a symptom, it’s about feeling like yourself again. It can mean moving through your day with confidence, returning to activities you’ve been avoiding, sleeping more peacefully, and feeling at ease in moments that once felt stressful or uncertain.
Below are the primary surgical treatment options available, along with the real-life changes patients can expect when they take that step forward.
Urethral Bulking
Urethral bulking is often a good fit for patients who want a meaningful reduction in stress or urge incontinence without committing to a more involved surgery. A small amount of gel material, typically collagen-based, is carefully injected into the urethral wall to gently narrow the opening and reduce unwanted leakage. Because the procedure does not require large incisions or general anesthesia in most cases, recovery is generally quick. For patients who have been hesitant to pursue surgery, urethral bulking can be a welcome first step that delivers real improvement with minimal disruption to daily life.
Retropubic Sling (TVT)
The TVT sling is one of the most widely used and well-studied procedures for stress urinary incontinence, and its track record speaks for itself. A thin strip of surgical tape is passed through two small incisions in the abdomen and vaginal wall and positioned beneath the urethra, where it acts as a permanent supportive hammock. When pressure builds during coughing, sneezing, or physical activity, the sling holds the urethra in place and prevents leakage. No sutures are needed to secure the tape, which keeps the procedure efficient and recovery manageable. Many women notice a real shift in their day-to-day life, getting back to exercise, travelling without constantly planning around bathroom access, and feeling more like themselves again, with a renewed sense of ease and confidence.
Retropubic Sling (Autologous Fascia)
For patients who prefer a solution that uses nothing foreign to their body, the autologous fascial sling offers exactly that. A strip of connective tissue, called fascia, is taken from the patient’s own thigh or abdomen and used as the sling material. It is then placed beneath the urethra to provide firm and natural support. Because the body recognizes the tissue as its own, there is no risk of rejection or synthetic material-related complications.
Treating urinary incontinence goes far beyond the physical symptoms. Many women describe feeling more confident, independent, and at ease in their daily lives once it’s addressed. Improvements in sleep and overall quality of life are often part of the lasting benefits.
Schedule a Consultation
Taking the first step toward treating urinary incontinence is often the hardest part, but you do not have to face it alone. During your visit, Dr. Lazare will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms in detail, and recommend the most appropriate course of action for your specific situation.
To schedule your consultation, please contact our office directly by phone or through our online contact form. Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have ahead of your appointment, including what to expect during your visit and how to prepare.
About Regina
Regina is the capital city of Saskatchewan and one of the most vibrant urban centres. Situated in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Regina is home to a population of approximately 230,000 people and serves as a regional hub for healthcare, government, business, and culture. The city is well known for its flat, expansive landscape, its friendly communities, and landmarks such as Wascana Centre, one of the largest urban parks in North America.
Regina’s healthcare infrastructure is also well developed, with multiple hospitals and specialty clinics serving residents across southern Saskatchewan. The city is also easily accessible via major highways and the Regina International Airport, making it a convenient destination for patients traveling from smaller communities throughout the region.
Dr. Darren Lazare
Restorative Gynecology Surgeon | BLOG
Dr. Darren Lazare received his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia. He successfully completed his subspecialty fellowship training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the University of Alberta. Dr. Lazare has been appointed as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia where he is the residency supervisor for the urogynecology program. He is a Surgeon Champion for the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). He is a committed advocate for women’s health, medical education and quality improvement initiatives while maintaining a full clinical, reconstructive and cosmetic practice. Dr. Lazare’s professional memberships include the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Canadian Society of Pelvic Medicine, the International Urogynecology Association, the International Continence Society and the American Urogynecology Society.