Over 1 in 3 women will have significant uncontrollable leakage of urine in their their lifetime, yet it remains a deeply personal and often embarrassing issue. Whether it’s a leak when you laugh or a sudden urge that you can’t control, urinary incontinence can dictate your daily activities and diminish your quality of life. At the Intimate Wellness Institute of Virginia, we want you to know: you are not alone, this is a treatable medical condition, and you do not have to “just live with it.”
As the region’s leading experts in pelvic health, Dr. Guerette and the IWI team have created a safe, judgement-free environment to help you find the right solution. We are here to help you reclaim your freedom and confidence.
To find the right solution, we first identify the specific type of incontinence you are experiencing. Most leakage falls into one of these common categories:
This is the most common type for women. It happens when physical movements—like coughing, sneezing, laughing, running, or lifting—put pressure on the bladder and the pelvic floor muscles aren’t strong enough to hold the urethra closed.
This is characterized by a sudden, intense need to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine before you can get to a restroom. It’s often a symptom of an Overactive Bladder (OAB), where bladder muscles contract at the wrong times.
This is a very common combination of both Stress and Urge incontinence, where you may experience leaks both with physical activity and with sudden, strong urges.
This occurs when your bladder doesn’t empty completely, causing small amounts of urine to drip out over time. It is less common in women but can be related to certain medical conditions or prior surgeries.
Bladder control issues can arise from many factors, most often related to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues. The most common risk factors include:
Pregnancy and Childbirth
The strain of carrying a baby and vaginal delivery can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor.
Menopause and Aging
The decline in estrogen during menopause can affect the health of your bladder and urethral tissues, while muscles naturally lose tone over time.
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Conditions like pelvic organ prolapse can directly impact bladder function.
Chronic Strain
Long-term pressure from chronic coughing, constipation, or heavy lifting can weaken the pelvic floor.
Your journey to relief begins with a confidential conversation and a thorough, expert evaluation. The IWI team, led by Dr. Guerette, will listen carefully to your history and symptoms. We have the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment in the region, which allows us to go beyond just identifying incontinence; we can determine the precise cause and type. This expert-level diagnosis is the key to creating a treatment plan that is targeted, effective, and right for you.
There is no single “best” treatment for everyone. At IWI, we offer the full spectrum of care and will partner with you to select the optimal path for your specific condition and goals.
For many women, these are excellent first steps. We provide expert guidance on medications to calm an overactive bladder, bladder training techniques, and simple lifestyle changes that can make a significant difference.
IWI is the only practice in the region to offer this comprehensive suite of cutting-edge, non-invasive solutions.
Advanced Pelvic Floor Strengthening (Emsella™)
As pioneers in this FDA-approved technology, IWI has the most experience with Emsella in North America. You simply sit on a chair, fully clothed, for a 28-minute session while it delivers the equivalent of 11,000 perfect Kegels, strengthening ALL the pelvic floor muscles to restore bladder control.
Vaginal Tissue Rejuvenation (Laser & RF)
These revolutionary, 5-minute painless treatments use gentle energy to restore and tighten the supportive tissue around the urethra, improving control with no downtime.
When incontinence is more severe or non-invasive options are not enough, Dr. Guerette’s unparalleled surgical expertise provides definitive solutions.
Bulking Agents & Botox®
Simple, in-office injections that can dramatically improve symptoms for stress and urge incontinence, respectively.
Neuromodulation (SNS)
A “pacemaker for the bladder” that restores the nerve signals controlling bladder function. Dr. Guerette is the most experienced implanter of these life-changing devices in the Mid-Atlantic.
Sling Procedures:
This 10-minute, minimally invasive outpatient procedure is the gold standard for treating stress incontinence. Dr. Guerette is the most experienced sling surgeon in the region. He has been involved in the development of many slings currently in use, including one he invented. Crucially, he is an expert in both standard slings and advanced non-mesh slings that use a collagen graft, offering women a choice.
For over a decade, The Intimate Wellness Institute and Dr. Guerette have consistently been voted the best center for the treatment and management of female urinary incontinence in the region. There is absolutely no reason to live with this embarrassing and debilitating issue. We are here to help you navigate your options and find the relief you’ve been looking for.
"I think the thing that stood out most about the office is that I really felt like, Dr. Guerette understood what I was talking about when I started talking about some of the bladder issues I had. And number two,everybody just seemed really very caring. I really appreciated that."
"I would recommend Dr. G and Jennifer because they are the best. They listen, they're very patient and they really know their stuff! I would like to add that since I have, found Dr. G and Jennifer, I have learned a lot about myself and what I'm going through, that I'm not the only one and there's help so don't have to suffer in silence any longer."
"When I was here, I felt completely heard. I felt, seen and understood. You guys really helped me. You made me not feel, you made me feel like a human. You didn't make me feel like I was a patient."
"I have a much better idea of what's going on with my body and the things that I need to do to, help be more comfortable, have a better quality of life."
