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Did you know that urinary incontinence is one of the most common health problems among women? In fact, it affects more than 25 million women in the United States. Urinary incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including childbirth, menopause, and obesity.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of urinary incontinence, it is important to see your doctor right away. We’re going to walk you through the types and causes of urinary incontinence among women and give you tips on how to manage this condition.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
The most common type of urinary incontinence, when it comes to women, is stress incontinence. This occurs when the muscles that support the bladder are weakened.
That can happen usually as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause. The weakened muscles allow urine to leak when there is pressure on the abdomen from coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.
Another type is called urge incontinence. It takes place when the bladder muscle contracts too often or squeezes without warning.
The result is a strong urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Urge incontinence may be caused by a bladder infection, neurological problems such as Parkinson’s disease, or changes in diet or medications.
Treatment of Urinary Incontinence (Including Lifestyle Changes, Medication, and Surgery)
Lifestyle changes:
Some lifestyle changes can help with urinary incontinence, but as always, consult your doctor before making any major changes. The following are some things your doctor might suggest:
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Lose weight, if you are overweight.
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Quit smoking. Smoking can worsen incontinence.
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Limit or avoid foods and beverages that irritate your bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and acidic fruits.
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Do pelvic floor muscle exercises (also called Kegel exercises) to strengthen your muscles. This can be done by repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles used to stop the flow of urine. Try to do these exercises for at least 15 minutes each day.
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Avoid lifting heavy objects. Straining can make incontinence worse.
Medication:
Your doctor may prescribe medication if lifestyle changes do not help enough or if you have urge incontinence. Medications used to treat incontinence work in different ways.
Some relax the bladder muscles, some thicken the urine so that leaks are less likely, and others help the body absorb more fluid.
Surgery:
If other treatments do not work, your doctor may recommend surgery. The type of surgery will depend on the type of incontinence you have and the underlying cause.
For example, if you have stress incontinence, your doctor may recommend a procedure to support your urethra or bladder neck. If you have nerve damage, your doctor may recommend a procedure to reroute nerves around the damaged area.
Urinary diversion is a last resort for treating incontinence when other treatments have failed. If you live in Washington, you can visit a specialist in urinary incontinence in Seattle to receive quality help.
Don’t Be Embarrassed About Urinary Incontinence
Here’s what you need to remember.
Urinary incontinence is a condition when urine is leaked involuntarily. It’s a common problem, especially among women, that can happen for many reasons.
There are many possible causes of urinary incontinence, including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and certain medications.
If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, talk to your doctor. There are many effective treatments available, and there is no need to be ashamed of it. Don’t struggle in silence – help is available!
Have you struggled to find a urinary incontinence treatment that works? Share with us in the comments.
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