Stress Urinary Incontinence

Verified by Dr. Vandana Gawdi – Consultant Gynecology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai

Stress urinary incontinence is a medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the involuntary loss of urine during activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or even exercising. Stress incontinence can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and even depression. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment options and preventive strategies for stress incontinence.

Causes
of stress incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when the
pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and control the flow of urine,
weaken or become damaged. This can happen due to a variety of reasons,
including:

• Pregnancy and
  Childbirth: The weight of the baby during
  pregnancy and the strain of pushing during childbirth can weaken the pelvic
  floor muscles. The actions of hormone progesterone and the lack of exercise
  during pregnancy are also major contributors to stress incontinence.
• Menopause: The decline in estrogen levels during menopause can
  lead to a loss of muscle tone in the pelvic floor.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts extra pressure on the bladder and
  pelvic floor muscles, leading to weakening over time.
• Chronic coughing: A persistent cough, especially cough, which is left
  untreated or cough due to rising pollution, can put pressure on the pelvic
  floor muscles and lead to stress incontinence.
• High-impact
  sports: Activities that involve jumping,
  running, or other high-impact movements can strain the pelvic floor muscles and
  contribute to stress incontinence.

Symptoms
of stress incontinence

The main symptom of stress
incontinence is the involuntary spilling or flow of urine during activities
that put pressure on the bladder. However, there are other symptoms that may
accompany stress incontinence, including:

• Frequent
  urination: People with stress incontinence may
  feel the need to urinate more often than usual.
• Urgency: They may also experience a sudden and strong urge to
  urinate, even if their bladder is not full.
• Nocturia: People with stress incontinence may wake up at night to
  urinate more frequently than usual.
• Urinary tract
  infections: Frequent episodes of stress
  incontinence can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
• Emotional
  distress: The embarrassment and shame
  associated with stress incontinence can cause emotional distress and affect a
  person’s quality of life.

Treatment
options for stress incontinence

The treatment for stress incontinence
depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying causes. Mild cases
of stress incontinence may be treated with lifestyle changes, while more severe
cases may require medical intervention. Here are some of the treatment options
for stress incontinence:

• Pelvic Floor
  Exercises: Pelvic floor exercises, also known
  as Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and control
  the flow of urine, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. These exercises
  involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles repeatedly. One
  should take guidance from a Pelvic floor therapist before beginning any form of
  pelvic floor exercises.
• Biofeedback
  Therapy: Biofeedback therapy uses sensors to
  monitor the pelvic floor muscles and provide feedback on their strength and
  function. This can help women learn how to control their muscles and improve
  bladder control.
• Electrical
  Stimulation: Electrical stimulation uses a small
  device to send electrical impulses to the pelvic floor muscles, causing them to
  contract and strengthen. This treatment is often used in combination with
  pelvic floor exercises.
• Medications: Certain medications, prescribed by expert Gynecologists
  and Urologists, can help strengthen the muscles that control the bladder and
  improve symptoms of stress incontinence.
• Surgery: In severe cases of stress incontinence, surgery may be
  necessary to repair or support the pelvic floor muscles. Reach out to your
  nearest Gynecologist to discuss the most sustainable option to manage your
  stress incontinence. The surgery for stress urinary incontinence involves
  placement of a tape at the bladder neck. It is a simple procedure with minimal
  discomfort.

Preventing
stress incontinence

Preventing stress incontinence
involves maintaining healthy habits and avoiding behaviors that may weaken the
pelvic floor muscles. Here are some tips to help prevent stress incontinence:

• Practice Kegel
  exercises: Regularly practicing Kegel
  exercises can help prevent stress incontinence.
• Maintain a
  healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight
  through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help prevent stress
  incontinence.
• Avoid
  constipation: Avoiding constipation by eating a
  high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, and staying physically active can
  help prevent stress incontinence. Early diagnosis and treatment of persistent
  cough is strongly recommended.
• Quit smoking: Research suggests that smoking can weaken the pelvic
  floor muscles and increase the risk of stress incontinence. Quitting smoking
  can help prevent the onset of stress incontinence.
• Practice good
  posture: Poor posture can put pressure on
  the pelvic floor muscles and weaken them over time. Maintaining good posture
  while sitting, standing, and walking can help prevent stress incontinence.
• Use the restroom
  frequently: Holding urine for extended periods
  of time can put pressure on the bladder and weaken the pelvic floor muscles
  over time. Using the restroom frequently and at optimal times can help prevent
  stress incontinence.

Conclusion

Stress incontinence or involuntary
spilling of urine is a common condition that affects millions of people
worldwide. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, leading to
embarrassment, social isolation, and even depression. However, there are steps
that can be taken to prevent the onset of stress incontinence or manage its
symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, avoiding
constipation, and practicing Kegel exercises are just a few ways to prevent
stress incontinence. If you are experiencing symptoms of stress incontinence,
it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to discuss your
treatment options.

Connect with our experts on 022 6280 6280 or visit Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai for more details.