Stress incontinence is quickly becoming the most common form of incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks because there is a sudden extra pressure within the abdomen and on the bladder. This pressure (or stress) is caused by things like coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising (such as running or jumping). Weakened pelvic floor muscles cannot support the bladder and urine outlet (urethra) as well as they should. The pressure is too much for the bladder outlet to withstand and so urine leaks out. Small amounts of urine may leak but sometimes it can be quite a lot and can cause embarrassment. A great treatment for stress incontinence is pelvic floor exercises. But exercise in general is a great way to relieve stress and thus your incontinence. Stress incontinence becomes more common in older women. As many as 1 in 5 women over the age of 40 have some degree of stress incontinence.
So What Causes Stress Incontinence?
Most cases of stress incontinence are due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that wrap around the underside of the bladder and back passage (rectum). Stress incontinence is common in women who have had children, particularly if they have had several vaginal deliveries. It is also more common with increasing age, as the muscles become weaker, particularly after the menopause.
First-line treatment involves strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with pelvic floor exercises. It is said that 6 in 10 cases of stress incontinence can be greatly improved with this treatment. It is important that you exercise the correct muscles, speak to your doctor. If possible, continue pelvic floor exercises as a part of everyday life forever, to stop the problem recurring.
For more information on how to best perform pelvic floor exercises visit our Incontinence UKManaging Your Incontinence webpage.
Kind regards
Incontinence UK Team
www.incontinenceuk.co.uk
Stress incontinence is quickly becoming the most common form of incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks because there is a sudden extra pressure within the abdomen and on the bladder. This pressure (or stress) is caused by things like coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising (such as running or jumping). Weakened pelvic floor muscles cannot support the bladder and urine outlet (urethra) as well as they should. The pressure is too much for the bladder outlet to withstand and so urine leaks out. Small amounts of urine may leak but sometimes it can be quite a lot and can cause embarrassment. A great treatment for stress incontinence is pelvic floor exercises. But exercise in general is a great way to relieve stress and thus your incontinence. Stress incontinence becomes more common in older women. As many as 1 in 5 women over the age of 40 have some degree of stress incontinence.
