Author Archives: Lentz

Fat Reduction Fort Collins
March 03 2026

What to Expect in Month 1 of a Weight Loss Program

Author Lentz Categories Diet and Nutrition, Fitness and Weight Loss, Health and Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle and Personal Development

Your first month starting a weight loss program is typically a mix of excitement and possibly a little anxiety, whether you are joining a weight loss clinic in Fort Collins or developing your own program from the comfort of your own home. The first thirty days will set the stage for your overall success and create habits that help you maintain your new lifestyle. By understanding what may be happening during this time frame, you can also enhance your experience, make the process more enjoyable, and ultimately more sustainable.

Here’s a friendly overview of your first month on your weight loss journey and how to achieve your goals.

Week 1: Preparation & Assessments

Week 1 is essentially about getting ready & understanding where you’re at. Most weight loss programs begin with an assessment (Weight measurement, Body measurements, etc.) as well as setting realistic expectations and planning your meal program.

The initial meal program will focus on creating a balance of lean protein, green vegetables, whole grain products & healthy fats for your weight loss diet. You will also be encouraged to start light physical activity to help support your metabolism by creating some movement in your day, this does not have to be intense or overwhelming.

Expect to spend most of the time in the first week feeling like you’re just trying to get a handle on what you need to do to create the change you want to see in your lifestyle.

Week 2: Building Consistency

Week 2 will be focused on building consistent habits into your lifestyle.

The first week, your body was adjusting to the new calorie intake and exercise routine. Now, it is responding to the changes made during the last week:

  1. Tracking your food & physical activity: Using a food diary or apps can help you maintain tracking of your meal plans and recognize patterns related to your weight loss.
  2. Finding new recipes that are low in calories, yet still taste great – By trying different and creative ways to prepare healthy meals, you can make a balanced diet for weight loss fun again, rather than feeling deprived of foods you enjoy.
  3. Engaging in light physical activities (walking, stretching, etc.): Gentle exercise will support your weight loss and help your metabolic rate.

In this stage, people begin to experience noticeable and positive changes (i.e., increased energy and better digestion), which can help motivate them to continue their weight loss journey.

Week 3: Adjusting and Learning

You’ve probably already seen some improvements by week 3 in your body’s ability to lose fat. The potential is great; however, there may be minor adjustments you’ll have to make during week 3 as your body continues to adjust.

At times, you may feel cravings, changes in how much weight you’ve lost over the course of the week, or you may experience a plateau. A quality weight loss program will help you navigate all of those issues and continue to promote healthy habits and weight loss for weeks and months to come with:

  1. Adjustments in your program: This includes portion sizes, meal timing, or the amount of physical activity you’re doing on a daily basis, based on what works best for your lifestyle.
  2. Supplement recommendations (if necessary): If your clinic offers weight loss supplements, they can help enhance your metabolic function while you follow the appropriate diet and exercise guidelines.
  3. Self-reflective encouragement: Reflecting on your eating habits, your food triggers, and your stressors will help you avoid relapses and maintain consistent weight loss progress.

Week 3 is primarily about discovering which aspects of the program work well for your body and developing a routine that makes sense to you.

Week 4: Celebrating Wins and Planning Ahead

Week 4 is an ideal time to acknowledge all the things you’ve accomplished so far this month, even if it’s just a few pounds. It is also the best time to measure the results (i.e., compare your current weight, measurements, etc., to where you were at the beginning) and make some adjustments to your diet as needed.

By week 4, you will be able to fine-tune your healthy diet plan for weight loss with greater accuracy since you now know what works well for you and what doesn’t.

Additionally, establishing a solid foundation of momentum during the second month is key to successful long-term weight management. Many find that after the first month, their confidence and energy levels are at an all-time high and are ready to take on the next challenge.

Tips for Success in Month 1

  1. Stay hydrated: Drinking water will increase your body’s ability to metabolize and prevent excess snacking.
  2. Prioritize sleep: Getting a good night’s rest will be a huge help in losing weight and maintaining good health.
  3. Be patient and consistent: Losing weight too fast is not safe. Therefore, make slow and healthy choices to lose weight that will last a lifetime.
  4. Look for professional support: If you have any questions or need assistance with your weight loss plan, Ideal Metabolic Health & Body in Fort Collins is here to help you reach your goals.

Starting Strong Matters

Your first month is where everything begins. If you are looking to quickly lose weight or develop a long-term healthy habit, adhering to a structured weight loss program and a healthy, balanced diet for weight loss gives you the greatest opportunity for achieving your objectives.

At Ideal Metabolic Health and Body in Fort Collins, our team is available to assist you as you develop a weight loss plan that meets your needs, your goals, and your body.

With proper support and guidance, your first month will be just the beginning of an empowered, reasonable, and fulfilling experience. Do you need help? We are here for you!

detecting early signs of insulin resistance
March 03 2026

7 Early Signs of Insulin Resistance You Shouldn’t Ignore

Author Lentz Categories Health and Wellness

Insulin is vital in controlling your blood sugar level, storing energy and supporting your total metabolic well-being. As your body begins to resist the effects of insulin (a condition known as insulin resistance), it may start to affect your body’s energy levels, how you metabolize food and maintain a healthy weight. Identifying the early warning signs of insulin resistance will enable you to take action before it progresses to a more severe form.

This is a friendly resource to identify the signs of insulin resistance and provide some ways to help your body during this time.

1. Unexpected Weight Gain, Especially Around the Midsection

Weight gain in the midsection can be a sign that you are developing insulin resistance. The fat in your abdomen is highly sensitive to insulin, so when you start developing insulin resistance, fat will accumulate there as one of the first symptoms.

2. Increased Hunger or Cravings for Sugar

Your body may want the quick energy of sugar when your cells do not respond well to insulin. A constant desire for food, or strong cravings (even if you have eaten a healthy meal), could indicate the onset of insulin resistance.

3. Fatigue and Lack of Energy

Fatigue (feeling tired), or feeling like you don’t have enough energy after meals, could mean that your body isn’t using glucose as efficiently as it should be for energy. The “energy crash” you feel from this may initially be mild, but it can interfere with your ability to perform daily activities and also impact your overall health and wellness.

4. Difficulty Losing Weight

If you’ve followed a healthy diet and regularly exercised but still have difficulty losing weight, insulin resistance may be negatively affecting your metabolic rate. Insulin resistance makes losing weight slow and difficult, even if you’re consistently making an effort in terms of diet and exercise.

5. Brain Fog Or Difficulty Concentrating

While insulin resistance is primarily related to physical symptoms, some people experience difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or general mental fogginess; these often improve as their blood sugar levels are stabilized.

6. Skin Changes

Skin changes are one of the less well-known symptoms of insulin resistance. In many cases, people will develop dark patches on the skin, specifically around the neck, underarms, or groin area (acanthosis nigricans). Other skin issues, such as acne or skin texture problems, may occur as an earlier sign.

7. Blood Sugar Fluctuation

Blood sugar fluctuations can cause frequent spikes and drops in blood sugar leaving people feeling irritable, lightheaded, and/or shaky. While this might initially appear to be a minor issue, blood sugar fluctuation signals to you that your body needs help managing its insulin levels.

How Insulin Resistance Affects Metabolic Health

Insulin resistance does not simply affect your blood sugar. Over time, it can begin to negatively affect your overall metabolic function. If your body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, your body will compensate with additional insulin production. In the long run, this increased insulin production makes it easier to store fat and harder to utilize fat as an energy source.

This is one of the reasons why people experience frustration when they are attempting to lose weight while suffering from insulin resistance, even though they have made improvements to their diet and exercise routine. Their bodies may remain in “fat storage” mode and continue to store fat rather than utilizing stored fat for energy.

Beyond weight challenges, insulin resistance can also:

  • Slow down your metabolism
  • Increase inflammation in the body
  • Disrupt cholesterol levels
  • Contribute to hormonal imbalances
  • Raise the risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Due to insulin’s critical role in the regulation of energy use within the body, a prolonged insulin balance can create an ongoing cascade of events (the ripple effect). Fortunately, through lifestyle modifications and appropriate insulin resistance treatments, there is great potential to restore your metabolism to optimal functioning.

Improving your body’s ability to support insulin sensitivity represents one of the greatest means of protecting your long-term metabolic health and increasing the likelihood of successful weight management.

Steps to Support Your Body

The body’s ability to fight against insulin resistance can be aided in many different ways. While it is best to follow the recommendations of your doctor for insulin resistance treatment, you may also want to consider some lifestyle and dietary changes that will help to aid in your ability to fight insulin resistance, as well as improve your overall metabolic health and increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin:

  • Eat whole foods, plenty of high-fiber vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats.
  • The more often you exercise, the better your muscle cells are able to utilize insulin.
  • A healthy weight helps in maintaining normal levels of insulin and support your body’s metabolic functions.
  • High stress levels can have a negative impact on your body’s ability to regulate insulin and glucose in the blood.

Consult with a qualified medical professional regarding the most effective and safe therapies for treating insulin resistance as well as the appropriateness of taking supplements if needed.

Spot The Signs of Insulin Resistance Early To Stay In Control

Identifying those first signs of insulin resistance will allow you to begin making healthier choices that support your overall health. Making some small changes to what you eat, increasing your physical activity and decreasing your stress levels are examples of simple ways to positively impact your body’s ability to metabolize efficiently.

Ideal Metabolic Health and Body in Fort Collins has been assisting clients who find it difficult to understand their own bodies’ response to insulin and weight loss. We are committed to working with you to develop healthy eating and exercise habits, as well as a personalized plan that will help your body have the most efficient metabolism possible, so you can be full of energy and confidence each day.

High cortisol levels can hurt your metabolism
March 03 2026

Why High Cortisol Levels Hurt Your Metabolism and Weight Loss

Author Lentz Categories Health and Wellness

While many of us will admit to feeling stress at some point in our lives, the impact that chronic stress has on our metabolism is often overlooked. Stress affects everyone’s life; however, when we’re under constant pressure, our bodies produce high cortisol levels.

Cortisol is one of the main hormones produced by the body as an immediate response to stressful situations. Although increased cortisol helps manage acute stressors, chronically high cortisol levels can lead to adverse effects on overall metabolic health, leading to a harder-than-it-should-be journey to losing weight.

Let’s take a look at how high cortisol levels affect your metabolism, what signs or stress symptoms to watch for, and how to lower cortisol levels for improved weight loss results.

What is Cortisol and Why Does It Matter for Metabolism?

Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” due to its production from your adrenal glands upon encountering stress. Cortisol is also involved with other body functions, such as the regulation of blood glucose, the management of your body’s use of fat and the control of your metabolic rate.

As with all hormones, while cortisol may be beneficial during periods of acute stress, chronically high cortisol levels will ultimately cause an imbalance in your body’s metabolic function, and this has been linked to unexplained and unwanted weight gain, particularly central or abdominal obesity.

If you’ve noticed recent weight gain or are having trouble losing weight, despite your best attempts at dieting, your body’s stress response may be contributing to this issue.

How Elevated Cortisol Levels Impact Metabolism

When you are under stress, your body will produce more cortisol. While some cortisol is good for you, too much of it has a number of effects on the body, including:

1. Increased Appetite and Cravings

Cortisol raises your hunger by causing you to crave foods with high sugar or fat content. When we are stressed, our bodies are looking for a quick source of energy, so they seek out fast-acting carbohydrates or fats to raise blood sugar levels quickly. This can lead to poor eating habits and an eventual disruption of your metabolic process, resulting in unwanted weight gain.

2. Fat Storage Around the Belly

Research has shown that excessive amounts of cortisol will cause fat to accumulate around the midsection. Midsection fat (also referred to as visceral fat) is considered to be bad for your health because it increases your risk of developing metabolic disorders such as Type II Diabetes.

3. Muscle Loss and Slower Metabolism

A high level of cortisol will reduce or degrade the amount of muscle mass in your body, so your metabolic rate is also reduced. As a result, you will need to expend more energy to lose weight, regardless of whether you are resting or active.

4. Disrupted Blood Sugar Regulation

Cortisol is essential for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. When cortisol is chronically elevated, you will experience increased fluctuations in blood sugar, and these fluctuations may lead to an increase in fat storage as well as cravings and decreased energy, creating a cycle of disrupted metabolic health.

high cortisol levels consequences

Stress Symptoms You Should Know About

Early recognition of potential stress symptoms will allow you to begin managing your cortisol levels prior to the onset of changes in your metabolic processes. Some signs that you have high cortisol levels are:

  • Fatigue
  • Poor sleep (insomnia)
  • Anxiety/Irritability
  • Increased cravings for high sugar/fat intake
  • Midsection weight gain
  • Decreased libido
  • Decreased ability to concentrate

If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, it may be time to take a step back and focus on body stress release techniques that can control high cortisol levels.

How to Lower Cortisol Levels and Support Metabolic Health

Thankfully, there are simple strategies you can use to decrease high cortisol levels and support a healthier metabolism.

1. Practice Relaxation Techniques

Using techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation will help your body relax and reduce the amount of cortisol in your body. This will also improve your metabolic function.

2. Get Regular Physical Activity

Doing some physical activity will also lower your cortisol levels. Find something you like to do (such as walking, swimming, or dancing) and just make sure you’re not overdoing it (excessive exercise will increase cortisol levels).

3. Prioritize Sleep

Prioritizing good quality sleep will also help you regulate cortisol. You should establish a consistent bedtime schedule and avoid consuming coffee after your normal dinner time. It’s very helpful to create a relaxing nightly routine, so you get enough proper rest to allow your cortisol levels to be brought back into balance.

4. Eat a Balanced Diet

Try to limit your intake of excessive sugar and caffeine, as these are both known to cause spikes in cortisol levels. A diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats and an abundance of vegetables will help support your overall metabolic health.

5. Take Time for Yourself

It’s imperative to give yourself time to relax and relieve Stress. Whatever you enjoy doing, whether it be reading, taking a bath, spending time with loved ones, etc. Finding those things that make you happy will help you reduce your cortisol levels, so you can live better.

Ready to Take Control of Your Metabolic Health?

Do you find yourself dealing with issues such as high cortisol, losing weight, and/or being overwhelmed by stress? If so, we are here to assist you. We provide one-on-one support to assist you in improving your metabolic health and reducing the negative effects that stress has on your body.

Let us help you build a sustainable plan to lower cortisol and boost your metabolism, so you can have better days.

Metabolic Health and Weight Loss
March 03 2026

Metabolic Health & Weight Loss: Simple Steps to Improve Your Metabolism

Author Lentz Categories Health and Wellness, Healthy Living and Social Habits

When you’re looking to lose weight, it’s common to feel like you’ve tried everything. Maybe you’ve cut down on carbs, started doing workout routines you dislike, downloaded another weight loss app and, no matter what, the scale remains uncooperative. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you are failing.

Instead of focusing solely on weight loss, consider developing your metabolic health. Your metabolism is not simply something that is either fast or slow. Rather, it’s how your body converts food into energy, how it regulates your blood sugar levels, how it utilizes fat as a source of fuel and how it generally supports your day-to-day activities. As your metabolic health improves, you will find that weight loss is more easily achieved and maintained.

Below is a simple, friendly starting point that serves as an outline based on the concept of your metabolic health. This is intended to be non-extreme and is designed to promote your health by supporting your body in a manner that is compatible with your lifestyle.

Metabolic Health and Weight Loss

What metabolic really means

“Metabolism”, in simple terms, refers to your “engine.” If that engine is struggling (e.g., due to lack of sleep, constantly hungry, eating irregularly), your metabolism can sometimes seem as though you’re “fighting a losing battle.”

You don’t have to be perfect when improving your metabolism. You simply need to perform small, consistent actions for a long time to see positive results.

A realistic “best way to lose weight” starts with these 5 habits

The best “way to lose weight” should be based on real-world “ways to eat”, which are built on the following five habits

1. Build meals that keep you full

There are several reasons why many diets may have poor success rates in helping people lose weight; one of them is hunger. This causes the brain to seek out quick sources of energy for the body, usually through sugar consumption, snack foods or very large portions.

To alleviate this problem:

  • Include protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Eat a variety of fiber rich foods (vegetables, berries, beans or a high fiber carbohydrate).
  • Eat a variety of healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts or eggs).

The combination of proteins, fibers and healthy fats will help support metabolic health, provide a stable source of energy and potentially eliminate cravings, without counting every calorie.

2. Walk more than you think you need to

Walking is often overlooked as an effective tool for creating a long-term weight loss strategy. Walking is easy on your body, and it can be done consistently to support how your body handles blood glucose levels.

Try this:

  • 10-15 minutes walking after a meal
  • Take a few minutes to walk around the block

Taking more steps than usual is a gentle way to help boost your metabolism, and it doesn’t burn you out.

3. Get some sleep (Seriously!)

You are probably tired of hearing about “losing weight” and how to do it quickly. However, sleep affects many of the factors that play into losing weight, including your hunger hormones, your cravings for food, your energy level, and your ability to stick to a diet plan. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body is going to feel as though it has to eat more, especially if you go to bed hungry.

Try this one change:

  • Pick a time each night to go to bed and try to keep it that way 4-5 nights per week.
  • Put your phone in a place where you can’t see it or use an app to tell you when it’s time to start winding down.

When you sleep well, you have the ability to make good decisions and also support your body’s metabolism.

4. Strength training makes weight loss easier

You do not need an extremely difficult workout routine that is done daily. However, doing strength training exercises 2-3 times a week will assist in maintaining muscle mass, as well as building new muscle. Your muscles are responsible for your metabolism, and they also help your body burn energy much more effectively.

Think simple:

  • Bodyweight squats, wall push-ups, dumbbells (Everything at home)
  • 20–30 minutes, 2–3 days per week

This supports long-term metabolic health while also helping you lose weight with less reliance on just cardio.

5. Stick to a plan that fits your lifestyle

The most effective weight loss programs are those you can keep up with when life is busy and unpredictable. A successful weight loss plan needs to be something you can realistically do on a typical Tuesday, not simply during your motivation.

Quick Self-Check:

  • Can I do this while at work, raising children, or travelling?
  • Does it allow flexibility without “starting over”?
  • Do I feel better about myself as I do this, rather than feeling worse?

If you find yourself hating the plan you’re using, then it’s probably not the most effective way for you to lose weight; it’s likely just another quick-fix.

How to lose weight while avoiding extreme methods

When you are attempting to lose weight, you may feel as if you would like immediate results. However, even though you look for “how can I lose weight fast”, you do not truly want “fast”; you actually want lasting results.

Taking a metabolic health approach will help you:

  • Have more consistent levels of energy
  • Reduce your cravings
  • Improve your ability to follow through on your eating plan and physical activity plan
  • Build good eating and exercise habits, which will ultimately result in long-term success
  • Don’t try to figure it all out by yourself.

Want a personalized metabolic health approach in Fort Collins?

If you’re ready to feel good again and want to create a weight loss program that you can realistically incorporate into your life, having someone guide you through this process may be the support system you’ve needed, especially if you have attempted to do it on your own and you feel stuck at the same place over and over again.

Reach out today to learn more about Ideal Metabolic Health and Body, our metabolic health clinic in Fort Collins, and we will develop a plan for you based on your body, goals and lifestyle.

Incontinence in women
January 01 2026

Incontinence in Women: what actually helps

Author Lentz Categories Health and Wellness

Urinary Incontinence in Women: Common, Real, and Treatable

You’re definitely not the first person to leak urine while laughing, coughing, exercising, or rushing to the bathroom—and you won’t be the last. Urinary incontinence in women is incredibly common. But here’s the part that matters most: it is not something you simply have to accept or live with.

Large studies across the United States estimate that more than 50% of adult women experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives, and nearly one-third report symptoms at least monthly. Despite how common it is, many women minimize their symptoms or assume leakage is just a normal consequence of aging, childbirth, or menopause.

It doesn’t have to be.

There are many ways to improve incontinence—ranging from small changes to daily habits, to targeted pelvic floor training, hormone therapy when appropriate, and office-based medical treatments available here in Fort Collins. This guide is designed to be practical, balanced, and non-hype, helping you understand your options so you can choose what best fits your body, your goals, and your lifestyle..

A Quick Guide to “Incontinence in Women”

Most women’s symptoms fall into one (or more) of the following categories:

Stress Incontinence
Leakage that occurs with increased abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, jumping, or lifting.

Urge Incontinence / Overactive Bladder
A sudden, strong urge to urinate that can be difficult to delay.

Mixed Incontinence
A combination of both stress- and urge-related symptoms.

Identifying your pattern of incontinence helps you and your healthcare provider develop a more targeted and effective treatment plan..

Why This Happens (And Why It Is Not Your Fault!)

A variety of factors may contribute to incontinence in women, including but not limited to:

  1. Pregnancy and childbirth
  2. Changes in hormone levels
  3. Changes to the pelvic floor
  4. Constipation
  5. High-Impact Exercise (e.g. running, dancing)
  6. Certain Medicines
  7. Weight Changes

None of these are character flaws or personal failures. They reflect normal biological changes over time—and importantly, there are multiple ways to find meaningful improvement and relief..

How hormones can help

Hormones play an important role in the health and function of the bladder, urethra, and surrounding pelvic tissues. For some women, restoring hormonal support can improve tissue quality and comfort:

  • Low-dose vaginal estrogen can improve dryness and tissue health of the vagina and urethra. It also helps restore a healthier vaginal environment—supporting normal pH and beneficial bacteria—which may reduce irritation, urgency, and nighttime urination for some women..
  • Systemic hormone replacement therapy can help maintain the health and function of pelvic and bladder tissues, which may improve comfort and urinary control. For some women, it is also a proactive choice to support long-term heart, brain, and bone health when started appropriately, even in the absence of significant menopausal symptoms.

Hormone therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Discuss with your clinician in Fort Collins whether local or systemic hormone therapy may be a safe and reasonable option based on your medical history. Many women combine hormonal support with other incontinence treatments to improve overall comfort and outcomes.

Your first steps (often the biggest wins)

1. Pelvic Floor Activation & Strengthening

Improving pelvic floor strength and coordination is foundational to treating incontinence—but how that is achieved matters.

Some women benefit from working with a pelvic floor physical therapist to learn proper activation and coordination. Others prefer—or require—a more efficient, guided approach using technology-assisted pelvic floor stimulation.

Clinician-guided pelvic floor stimulation (such as V-Tone) can activate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles more quickly and consistently than exercises alone, particularly for women who:

  • Struggle to feel or correctly engage their pelvic floor

  • Have significant weakness or poor neuromuscular coordination

  • Want faster, more noticeable improvement in leakage and control

Many women experience meaningful improvements in bladder control over a relatively short treatment course. Pelvic floor therapy and home exercises can still play a supportive role, but energy-based stimulation often provides a stronger and more efficient starting point

2. Small Lifestyle Changes That Matter More Than You’d Expect

While strengthening the pelvic floor is key, daily habits can either support—or undermine—progress:

  • Drink throughout the day instead of “front-loading” your fluids or “panic-drinking”.
  • Reduce your intake of bladder irritants (caffeine, energy drinks, certain teas, artificial sweeteners).
  • Address constipation, as softer stools reduce pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor
  • Try timed voiding to train your body to respond to urgency.
  • If applicable, gradual weight loss may reduce pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor.

3. Pads and Liners as a Bridge

Pads and liners can help restore confidence while treatment is underway, but they should be viewed as a temporary support, not a long-term solution.

Office-based treatments: Options Beyond “Just Deal With It”

While many office-based treatments work well as foundational options, if a woman’s incontinence is not improving sufficiently from her basic treatment plan, there are several ways her provider can develop a more targeted plan using a variety of therapy options. 

Each option could be referred to as a tool used by the provider to address the woman’s specific stress vs. urge incontinence needs:

Office-Based Treatments: Efficient Options Beyond “Just Deal With It”

When symptoms persist—or when women want faster and more reliable improvement—office-based treatments can be used earlier in care, not only as a last resort.

Think of these options as precision tools your provider may recommend based on whether stress, urge, or mixed incontinence is present.

Energy-Based Pelvic Therapies

Examples include V-Tone, Forma-V, and Morpheus-V (not an exhaustive list). These therapies use controlled pelvic floor stimulation and/or heat to:

  • Improve pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance

  • Enhance neuromuscular activation

  • Support tissue quality and function

For many women, these therapies provide more efficient and predictable improvement than exercises alone. Treatment schedules and maintenance vary, but energy-based therapies are often used to accelerate results and enhance the effectiveness of lifestyle and hormonal strategies.

Medications

Prescription medications may be helpful for women with urge or overactive bladder symptoms. Medication choices should balance symptom improvement with potential side effects and individual tolerance.

Urethral Bulking (Office Procedure)

Urethral bulking involves placing a small amount of supportive material just inside the urethra to improve closure and reduce leakage with activities like coughing or jumping.

Sling Surgery (For Stress Incontinence)

Sling surgery may be an option for women with stress incontinence that has not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments. While not appropriate for everyone, it can offer durable symptom relief for selected candidates.

“How much will it help me?”

Think of incontinence treatments as part of a continuum, with pads and liners supporting confidence in the short term but not addressing the underlying issue.

  • Pelvic floor activation, strengthening & lifestyle changes: Foundational for nearly every plan. These approaches often reduce leakage and improve awareness and control, especially when paired with guided or technology-assisted training.

  • Local and systemic hormonal support: May reduce urgency, nighttime urination, and tissue discomfort, while improving tissue quality and enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments.

  • Energy-based pelvic therapies (such as V-Tone): Often produce faster and more reliable improvements in bladder control, leakage frequency, and pelvic muscle function, particularly for women with weakness or difficulty activating the pelvic floor.

  • Medications: Can reduce urgency and urinary frequency, primarily for overactive bladder patterns.

  • Surgical or bulking procedures: Corrective options when stress-related leakage persists despite appropriate non-surgical treatment.

Many women benefit from using two or more approaches simultaneously. The goal is freedom—to laugh, move, sleep, and enjoy intimacy without planning your day around bathroom access.

How to choose your next step

First and foremost: incontinence in women is treatable.

Prepare for your appointment by noting:

  • When leakage occurs and how often

  • What you’ve already tried

  • What you suspect triggers symptoms

Questions to discuss with your provider:

  • Which pattern—stress, urge, or mixed—best fits my symptoms?

  • Could pelvic floor therapy or local hormone treatment help first?

  • Would energy-based therapies or medications be appropriate for me?

  • If stress leakage continues, am I a candidate for bulking or sling procedures?

You don’t have to “just live with it.” It’s reasonable to expect better days—dry workouts, dry laughs, and more restful nights.

If you’d like guidance along the way, we’re here to help at Ideal Metabolic Health & Body, offering personalized care and thoughtful treatment options in Fort Collins.

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