Urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common problem that affects the quality of life of many women by causing increased depression and anxiety, Increased risk of urinary tract infections, increased risk of falls from frequent rushing to the bathroom and skin infections. Although it is mostly seen in Older women, younger women can experience symptoms as well.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are 2 main type of Urinary Incontinence in women. Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence. There are other less common types of incontinence such as over flow incontinence, mixed incontinence and functional incontinence.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence happens when there is weakening of muscles in the pelvic floor and around the urethra causing it to leak urine when there is increased pressure. Activities such as laughing, sneezing and coughing increases the abdominal pressure leading to involuntary leakage of urine. It is Common among women who had one or more vaginal deliveries and Obese females.
- Weight loss decreases the abdominal pressure and improves incontinence
- Treating constipation also improves incontinence by reducing abdominal pressure
- Smoking Cessation is known to improve incontinence
- Pelvic floor exercises such as Kegel Exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor
If conservative management fails, you can discuss with your doctor about pessaries or other surgical options available.
Urge Incontinence
It is also known as overactive bladder problem. People with this condition feels the urge to urinate more frequently and may have involuntary leakage on the way to the bathroom. Frequency of urination is also increased and may have to wake up multiple times in the middle of the night to urinate.
Alcohol, Drugs and Caffeine are some of the substances that can contribute to urge incontinence.
- Weight loss decreases the abdominal pressure and improves incontinence
- Treating constipation also improves incontinence by reducing abdominal pressure
- Avoiding Caffeine , alcohol and smoking cessation
- Bladder training is the most beneficial conservative management for urge incontinence
- Appropriate fluid intake by avoiding excessive fluid intake at night
- Scheduled bathroom breaks to avoid involuntary urination
- Kegel Exercises
If conservative management fails, you can discuss with your doctor about medications to reduce bladder spasms, other procedures such as Botox or other surgical options available.
Guide for Bladder Training
- when you experience the urgency to urinate, remain still
- Focus on reducing the urgency to urinate by distracting your self and relaxation techniques that work for you
- Once the feeling of urgency is controlled walk slowly to the bathroom
Kegel Exercise
- Kegel exercise is performed by contracting and relaxing the pelvic muscles.
- Initially practice kegel exercises by holding the urine during urination and releasing it without using the abdomen, buttocks or thigh muscles.
- When you contract the pelvic muscles hold the contractions for atleast 6 seconds before relaxing.
- Once you practice to isolate pelvic muscle and perform the contraction and relaxation you can exercise three sets of 10 contraction 2-3 times a week .
- Once you master the technique slowly increase the time of contraction from 6 seconds to at least 10 seconds.
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