It's a medical condition women are too embarrassed to talk about with their doctors. Yet many suffer needlessly and find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs when you simply can't hold your urine – especially when you laugh, cough, sneeze, exercise, or lift something.
The problem is the muscle at the outlet of the bladder. One in three American women over age 18 can have accidental leakage. But because this situation is often thought to be as embarrassing as talking about sexually transmitted diseases, most women simply aren't talking to their doctors about it.
Results from a survey by the National Women's Health Resource Center indicate that all of the women surveyed were concerned that SUI impacted some aspect of their lives. More than half never sought treatment or discussed their symptoms with a physician, and adopted their own coping strategies, creating further anxiety and strain on their lives and relationships.
Some women cope by always knowing where bathrooms are, avoiding sexual intimacy, making frequent trips to the bathroom, and relying on pads and panty liners.
The survey also showed that the situation is made worse by the fact that healthcare professionals do not bring up the delicate subject of incontinence with their patients.
Childbirth is considered a known risk factor for developing SUI symptoms. Contrary to common belief, aging is not a risk factor.
When it comes to treatment, behavioral therapies are the first choice. Medications and surgery are considered after other options have been tried.
Behavior Changes Include These Strategies
- Don't drink too much fluid unless you are exercising, sweating a lot, or if the weather is hot.
- Urinate regularly, and don't ignore the urge to "go."
- Avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, or carbonated beverages that might irritate your bladder.
- Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor (contract pelvic muscles that you use to hold back urine). The more exercises you do, the more likely they'll help.
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