Stress urinary incontinence: Find out what it is, and who is at a higher risk

To hold urine inside your bladder without leakage, you need to be able to contract your sphincter. However, when your sphincter and pelvic muscles are weak, it's more difficult to contract these muscles, which made lead to SUI.

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | March 22, 2023 10:50 AM IST

3 min read

any pressure placed on the abdomen and bladder can lead to urination. (Source: Freepik)

The inability to control the urge to urinate may be a sign of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition in which one experiences urinary leakage upon any pressure placed on the abdomen and bladder, or during physical activity.

According to Dr Sushruta Mokadam, consultant obstetrician at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, “If the SUI is severe, one will leak with less forceful activities like standing up, walking, or bending down, too.”

To hold urine inside the bladder without leakage, you need to be able to contract your sphincter. However, when your sphincter and pelvic muscles are weak, it’s more difficult to contract these muscles, which may lead to SUI, she explained.

The main symptom of it is the loss of bladder control during physical activity, which can include:

*Laughing
*Coughing
*Jumping
*Heavy lifting
*Engaging in sexual intercourse

Who is more at risk?

The most common causes of SUI among women are childbirth and pregnancy. This is because the sphincter and pelvic muscles stretch out and weaken during this period. (Source: Freepik)

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from involuntary leakage, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The most common causes of SUI among women are childbirth and pregnancy. This is because the sphincter and pelvic muscles stretch out and weaken during this period.

Adding to this, Dr Mokadam said, “Obesity, chronic coughing, and smoking can also cause stress urinary incontinence. People who have had a pelvic injury, prostate surgery, and vaginal delivery may be at a greater risk of having stress urinary incontinence (SUI).”

ALSO READ | Ladies, here are some tips to develop healthy bladder habits

Other risk factors for SUI include:

*Excessive caffeine and alcohol use
*Constipation
*Hormonal deficiencies

Treatment

Story continues below this ad

Pelvic muscle training including Kegel exercises can make your sphincter and pelvic muscles stronger. (Source: Freepik)

The most important thing is to identify the underlying cause of the problem. Accordingly, your doctor will come up with a treatment plan, suggesting medicines and lifestyle changes.

*If you’re overweight, your doctor may suggest you lose weight.
*If you’re a smoker, you should quit as nicotine can irritate your bladder.
*Pelvic muscle training including Kegel exercises can make your sphincter and pelvic muscles stronger.
*Both oral and topical oestrogen supplements may help in women.
*If you have a severe case, your doctor may recommend surgery.

ALSO READ | Women, you must never ignore symptoms like pelvic pain, cloudy urine, burning sensation in the vagina

With many ways to treat SUI depending on the severity of the condition, you need not suffer in silence because of the embarrassment.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

From the homepage