The Facts: Stress Incontinence in Women
We don’t know exactly how many Americans suffer from stress incontinence because the symptoms are embarrassing and underreported. Stress incontinence is defined as urinary leakage stemming from coughing, sneezing, exercise, or any other rapid movements. Doctors estimate that between 10-30% of women experience stress incontinence at some point in thier lives.
Why women? Well, it’s biology. A woman’s urethra is about 1.5-2 inches long. A man’s urethra, on the other hand, is approximately 8 inches long. Stress incontinence comes about when the pressure exerted on the bladder (from the movement) is stronger than the urethra’s and pelvic core’s ability to remain tight and closed. Since women have less area to exert counter-pressure, it’s more common for women to suffer from this malady.
Of course, childbirth also adds to this. It’s no secret that vaginal deliveries take their toll on a woman’s pelvic region. Pregnancy is often the time that stress incontinence begins in women, as the baby sometimes sits directly on the mama’s bladder. During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic muscles are stretched and strained. Things shift and don’t fall back into place immediately. And if you’ve been given an episiotomy, then your pelvic muscles have literally been severed and need time to heal.
And as women age, stress incontinence becomes more likely. Like all muscles and tissues, vaginal and pelvic core muscles become weaker over time. During menopause, estrogen levels drop. Estrogen is one of the hormones responsible for a healthy bladder and urethra. When this chemical ceases to produce at high rates, overactive bladder and urge incontinence are sometimes added to stress incontinence.
Not surprisingly, weight also has an effect on stress incontinence. Two reasons stand out. First, increased weight equals increased pressure. More pressure on the bladder equals more chances for the pressure to “spill out.”
Second, if you’re overweight, you’re probably not working out on a regular basis. Your pelvic core muscles need to be toned and exercised just like any other muscle in your body. By neglecting to include exercise into your lifestyle, you’re upping your chances for incontinence sooner or later.
This is not to say that men do not experience stress incontinence. They do. But women’s bodies seem more predisposed though our biology and life cycles. There are, however, many options available to you to help control and “cure” incontinence.
Stress Incontinence Treatment
Medication: Many prescription medications are available through your doctor. These drugs help decrease involuntary muscle spasms in your body—including your bladder. They sometimes have negative side effects, but only you and your doctor can decide what’s right for you.
Surgery: The use of surgery to treat incontinence is generally not recommended as a first line of treatment for mild incontinence. However, it is still an option for those suffering from extreme cases. Sling and bladder neck suspension procedures are invasive, and sometimes involve the use of fiber mesh material to support the bladder.
Exercise: Often the first course of recommended treatment is kegel excercises. Unassisted kegel exercises require the patient to squeeze and release her pelvic muscles for up to 20 minutes a day, every day for up to six months. This will help tighten and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, allowing you to exert enough counter-pressure to stop urine flow. The FPT and MPT products substantially enhance and accelerate the muscle toning process allowing most patients to see noticable results in as little as three weeks, with therapy sessions reduced to 5 minutes a day.
If you’re suffering from stress incontinence, don’t suffer in silence. The best way to a healthy, accident-free future is to take action now. Talk to your doctor today about the frequency of your incontinence and make a plan of action.
References
“Menopause and Incontinence.” Epigee Women’s Health.
The post Stress Incontinence appeared first on Kegel Exercises to Treat Incontinence.
