A medical expert has recommended the use of Botox as a treatment for urinary incontinence, explaining that the neurotoxin is a good option to consider for people suffering from the condition.

Speaking to health website healthwatchmd.com, Dr Anne Wiskind, a uro-gynaecologist at Piedmont Hospital in the US state of Georgia, explained that urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting millions of people in the US alone.

Although it is more common in women than in men, adult incontinence can affect both genders, and is often a symptom of other underlying conditions or a physical injury.

She explained there are two main types of the condition, with the first being stress incontinence, which is leakage from the bladder that can be caused by coughing, laughing or sneezing. Often this is the result of injury sustained during childbirth in women, she explained.

"The second type of incontinence is urge incontinence. This is when there is a leaking when you have the urge to go and cannot get to the bathroom fast enough," the expert went on.

Previous research has indicated that Botox is affective at treating urinary incontinence, even in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis or spinal chord injuries who often find it hard to control their bladders for neurological reasons.

"The trick in all cases of incontinence is to correct the problem enough so patients don’t experience leakage, but not to overcorrect the problem so patients can't void," Dr Wiskind explained.

In August, Botox was approved for treatment of urinary incontinence in people suffering from these neurological conditions by the US Food and Drug administration.

Research indicated that injecting the substance into the bladder not only increases its capacity for urinary storage, but also helps reduce the symptoms of incontinence.

While adult incontinence can be treated with medication, some with moderate symptoms might prefer to use discrete incontinence pads.