Women with Incontinence: You're Not Alone
Many women feel embarrassed because they have incontinence issues, but we’re here to tell you that you are not alone!
When you experience bladder leakage, you may find that you are unable to enjoy your normal activities. You may hesitate to participate in physical activities you used to enjoy, from exercise and family outings to intimacy with your partner.
What is it like to deal with incontinence?
Women describe incontinence as embarrassing, discouraging, and even life-disrupting.
Does this sound familiar?
Rushing to the bathroom after an unexpected sneeze or cough because you need to change your underwear — and maybe your pants?
Always having to wear a pantyliner or bladder leakage pad?
Suffering when you have a cold or a stomach virus, not just because of your respiratory issues, but because of accidents every time you cough, sneeze, or throw up?
Keeping an extra pair of underwear in your bag in case of accidents?
Shopping for discreet, disposable underwear that you can use to prevent embarrassing accidents?
It is so important to know that you are not alone in these experiences. Women all over the world have to deal with incontinence.
Is bladder incontinence really that common?
Yes, it really is. There is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you consider that it is such a common problem.
1 in 4 women experiences urinary leakage, with the highest prevalence among women over the age of 50. The percentage goes up to 50% after the age of 50, with the most common triggers being coughing or sneezing and not having enough time to make it to the bathroom.
Between the ages of 70 and 80, involuntary leakage increases significantly.
What causes incontinence in women?
There are several culprits when it comes to women’s incontinence.
They include conditional causes that can affect individual women differently:
Alcohol and caffeine consumption
Carbonation
Artificial sweeteners
Chocolate
Spicy foods
Sugary and acidic foods
Significant amounts of Vitamin C
It can also be caused by medications, such as heart medicine, blood pressure meds, sedatives, and muscle relaxants.
Some illnesses and medical conditions can cause incontinence as well.
UTIs
Constipation
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes
Childbirth
Aging
Menopause
Neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, strokes, tumors, or spinal injuries
Do I have to just live with this problem, or is there a solution?
You don’t have to live with urinary incontinence.
If you work with a urologist, the first thing they will do is help you determine the specific type of incontinence that you’re experiencing.
The five types of incontinence are:
Stress incontinence: Leaks that occur when pressure is exerted on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, including exercising, lifting heavy objects, sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Overflow incontinence: Leaks that occur when the bladder does not empty completely, leaving women to experience frequent or even constant dribbling of urine.
Urge incontinence: A sense of sudden, urgent need to urinate, but only a small amount of urine is actually expelled from the bladder, leading to frequent urges.
Functional incontinence: The inability to get to the bathroom in time, often because of a condition like arthritis, mental impairment, or physical disability.
Mixed incontinence: A combination of any of the above causes.
The treatment for your incontinence will depend on what is causing your leakage issues.
Treatment options
One of the most common treatment options for incontinence can be done at home, on your own time, without any expensive treatments or medications. Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen the sling of muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and colon, and these can often cause a significant improvement in your leakage issues.
Another treatment option is to make lifestyle changes, such as cutting out caffeine in the evenings, reducing your alcohol intake, and limiting foods that cause bladder irritation.
Finally, significant incontinence issues that affect your daily life are often best treated by urologists, medical doctors who specialize in the urinary tract.
Do you want help with your urinary leakage issues?
If your life is inconvenienced by any type of incontinence, you have options! Please don’t let embarrassment get in the way of reaching out and talking with us because we can help. Schedule an appointment with Norman Urology today so that we can help you get back to your life before incontinence.