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.