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Female Urinary Incontinence: It's More Common Than You Think — But We Have Solutions
Recent studies show that at least 6 in 10 American women experience urinary incontinence symptoms — making it a far more common problem than most people know.
At Discovery Medical Center in Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois, board-certified OB/GYN Pekka Soini, MD, FACOG, helps women find effective solutions for urinary incontinence in a warm, supportive setting.
Why is urinary incontinence so common?
Urinary incontinence affects women of all ages. One of the most common reasons that younger women experience urinary incontinence is the effects of pregnancy and childbirth.
As the baby grows and the muscles and other abdominal and pelvic tissues need to support more weight, those tissues stretch.
Sometimes, they don’t fully return to their pre-pregnancy strength, which means that the muscles controlling urination may not work as efficiently as before. Some women may experience pelvic organ prolapse, in which the uterus and other organs start to descend lower into the pelvis. This can contribute to significant urinary issues.
Urinary incontinence grows more common with age, with about 75% of post-menopausal women experiencing involuntary urine loss at some times.
One reason is that estrogen sharply declines during menopause. Estrogen helps maintain the strength, thickness, and elasticity of tissues in the vagina, urethra, and pelvic floor.
As estrogen levels fall during and after menopause, these tissues can become thinner and weaker, making it harder for the urethra and bladder to stay properly supported and prevent urine leakage.
Other factors, including excess weight, chronic coughing, and chronic constipation, can play a role in urinary incontinence, as can certain medications and some medical conditions.
The type of leakage you experience can provide important clues about what’s happening. Stress incontinence typically causes leakage when pressure increases inside your abdomen, for example, when you cough, laugh, sneeze, exercise, or lift something heavy.
Urge incontinence is different. It causes a sudden, intense need to urinate that may give you little time to reach the bathroom. Some women experience features of both, known as mixed incontinence.
Small changes can make a big difference
Treatment doesn’t necessarily mean medication or surgery. In fact, conservative approaches are often the first step.
Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen the muscles that help control urination. Bladder training, which involves helping you gradually go longer between bathroom trips, can be another natural option.
Other lifestyle adjustments, for example, drinking less fluids later in the day, can help, particularly if frequent or urgent urination wakes you up frequently.
Dr. Soini can help you determine which strategies make sense for your particular symptoms rather than leaving you to figure it out through trial and error.
There are more treatment options than you might realize
When lifestyle and behavioral changes aren’t enough, additional treatments are available to get urinary incontinence under control.
Depending on the cause and type of incontinence, medication may help calm an overactive bladder and reduce urgency. For some women experiencing urinary symptoms related to menopause, local estrogen therapy such as topical creams may help.
There are also insertable nonsurgical devices that can provide additional support and help prevent leakage. These can be particularly useful when pelvic organ prolapse contributes to urinary incontinence.
Surgery is an option when you need it
Most women can start with nonsurgical treatment, but persistent incontinence sometimes requires a different approach.
Dr. Soini offers surgical procedures designed to improve support around the bladder and urethra.
One example is sling surgery, which involves placing a narrow strip of synthetic mesh or the patient’s own tissue underneath the urethra. The sling acts as a supportive hammock, helping the urethra stay closed when pressure increases inside the abdomen.
The right treatment depends on what’s causing your leakage, how much it interferes with your life, your overall health, and your personal preferences.
Take back control of your bladder
You shouldn’t have to plan your day around bathroom locations, avoid exercise because you’re worried about leaking, or simply try to live with bladder-control problems.
Dr. Soini takes the time to answer questions and help you understand your options in a comfortable, respectful setting. Discovery Medical Center also offers convenient Saturday hours. To book an evaluation at the Logan Square, Chicago, office, call 773-305-4132 today.
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