Urinary Incontinence
"I know that incontinence won't kill me, but it is stealing my life."
--Maria

What woman hasn't leaked urine during a laugh attack, a coughing jag or a sneeze? For some women, urinary incontinence is episodic, occurring only occasionally. For others, "accidents" happen daily...and with devastating consequences to lifestyle and quality of life.

If you have ever felt alone in your experience with urinary incontinence, you will be surprised and reassured to learn how common this condition really is. It is estimated that 51 million women worldwide have urinary incontinence.
 
Causes

The incontinence you experience may be caused by weakened or damaged pelvic muscles and tissue that prevent the urethra from closing tightly enough to hold urine in your bladder.

How did your muscles and tissue become weakened or damaged? Often, urinary incontinence can be traced back to:

  • Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth
  • Aging and genetic factors
  • Medical conditions (e.g., hysterectomy, spina biffida, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetes)
  • Infections and medications
  • Obesity
  • Smoking

A thorough exam by your doctor will determine the cause of incontinence as well as the type.

There are five types of incontinence and it is common to experience symptoms of more than one type:

  • Stress Incontinence - Have you leaked urine during a physical activity like lifting, exercising, sneezing or coughing? Typically, stress incontinence is the result of hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency.
    Hypermobility - When the urethra (the canal that carries urine from the bladder) and bladder neck shift from their normal positions.
    Intrinsic sphincter deficiency - Occurs when the urethral sphincter (the muscle below the bladder that surrounds the urethra) is unable to close tightly enough to hold urine in the bladder.
  • Urge Incontinence - If you experience an overwhelming need to urinate but are unable to hold it long enough to reach a toilet, it may be due to urge incontinence. Overactivity of the detrusor muscle surrounding the bladder causes it to contract frequently, creating an overwhelming need to urinate - even if you just went.
  • Mixed Incontinence - A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
  • Overflow Incontinence - Leaking urine because your bladder never completely empties.
  • Functional Incontinence - This type of incontinence is caused by a weakening in the function of the lower urinary tract.
 
Symptoms
There are a number of signs of incontinence, depending on the type. You may be experiencing involuntary loss of urine during physical activity; a compelling need to urinate with inability to stop leakage long enough to reach a toilet; or continued leakage because the bladder is full beyond capacity.

Ask yourself the following questions:
  1. Do you leak urine unexpectedly?
  2. Is the urine leakage:
    1. Mild (a few drops)
    2. Moderate (wet underwear)
    3. Severe (wet outerwear)
  3. Does the urine loss occur during coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending or lifting?
  4. Does the urine loss occur when you change from a sitting or lying position to a standing position?
  5. Do you leak urine continuously?
  6. Is urine loss a problem to you?
  7. Has this urine loss caused you to change your lifestyle?
  8. If you have changed your lifestyle, how?
    1. I limit the fluids I drink
    2. I stay at home
    3. I limit my choice of clothing to dark colors

Print out a copy of this test and share the results with your doctor at your next appointment.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and print any PDF documents. Click here to download this free program.

 
Effects
Your embarrassment from odor and wetness may lead you to limit your activities, relationships and lifestyle.

Incontinence can keep you...

...in costly diapers
...in constant search of restrooms
...homebound and constrained
...embarrassed and depressed
...isolated from friends and family
...frustrated in your relationship with your partner

But it doesn't have to be that way. Click  to learn more about treatments.
 
Solutions
See our suggested solutions.
 
Seeing a Doctor

One study found that many women do not seek help for incontinence because they:

  • Mistakenly believe that bladder control issues are an inevitable part of aging.
  • Believe there is no treatment available.
  • Are too embarrassed to discuss their problem with their healthcare provider.
    (Abrams 2000)

What a relief it is to learn that incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging; there are many treatment options available; and that you do not need to be embarrassed to talk to your doctor. While it may feel awkward to you to discuss incontinence, it is not awkward for your doctor because he or she understands this condition and has likely treated it in many other women.

Make an appointment today. Proper diagnosis of the type of incontinence is an important factor in successful treatment.