⅓ of Women Leak Urine: Learn About Common Incontinence and How to Heal It

According to Hopkins Medicine, over 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence (UI). This condition can occur at any age, but it is more common in women over the age of 50. Moreover, “...prevalence of this problem increases with age, as up to 75 percent of women above age 65 report urine leakage." 

Top Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence aka Overactive Bladder

• Frequent need to urinate
• Inability to hold urine before making it to the restroom
• Feeling incomplete after emptying the bladder 
• Urine leakage from sneezing, laughing, exercising, or couching

The Main Cause of Urinary Incontinence

Women develop UI most commonly during pregnancy and or after birth or from hormonal changes such as menopause.

The Four Types of Urinary Incontinence

Stress Incontinence:  "According to UCSF Health, In Women with Stress Incontinence an increase in pressure in the abdomen momentarily puts physical stress on the pelvis, causing urine loss. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising and even standing up can cause leakage in women with this type of incontinence.  Treatments include behavioral therapies — such as biofeedback and pelvic muscle exercises — vaginal inserts, electrical stimulation and surgery.

Urgency Incontinence:  According to the National Institute on Aging, “Urgency Incontinence is the accidental or unintended release of urine or the frequent need or sudden urge to urinate.”

Functional Incontinence:  The inability to reach the restroom due to physical or mobility conditions that cause a person to not be able to get to the toilet on time- i.e. post surgery, disabilities, injury, etc. 

Overflow Incontinence:  When the body produces more urine than the bladder can hold, urine can overflow. 

The Impact on Women’s Lives

• Avoidance of sex or intimate activity due to embarrassment and fear of  Coital UI, or the accidental leakage of urine during sex. 
• Urinary Incontinence can cause depression and a sense of hopelessness for intimate relating.
• Between 25-50% of women with Urinary Incontinence also experience Female Sexual Dysfunction or FSD.
• Up to 23% of women take time off work because of incontinence.
• Changes in sex life that affected both them and their partners and created a feeling of ‘loss of femininity’ related to the inability to have sex due to UI.

Treatment Options: How We Can Address these Symptoms

Whether it’s behavioral treatments like biofeedback or pelvic physical therapy, cutting out bladder stimulating or non-surgical or surgical treatments or supplements, we recommend you explore these resources to help make your day to day life more harmonious. 

Talk to a gynecologist, urologist, or pelvic physical therapist: 

During the 4 years Rosebud Woman has been around, we’ve met thousands of health care providers and practitioners and attended numerous conferences and events focused on women’s sexual health. In addition to finding intimate care products and women’s health practitioners on our site directory, we also recommend checking out Prosana, the newly debuted educational platform from the The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. 

Explore over the counter solutions and treatments like:

• Amsella - the non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for UI (discovered during our time at ISSWSH’s Annual Conference) 
• My LilyBird - quick absorbent underwear and supplements available on subscription and mailed discreetly to your house “so you can leave it.”

Help normalize the conversation:

• Join our private FB community to share your experiences, dialogue with women in our community and gain access to private conversations with women's health practitioners.
• Write to us at Info@Rosewoman.com and Share Your Story- with your permission, we’ll include it in our new email series where we can either include your name or leave it out. 

#pelvicfloor #womenshealth #femalesexualdisfunction #urinaryincontinence #fsd #incontinence #pelvichealth

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Frequently asked

What are the main types of urinary incontinence in women?

The most common types are stress incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise), urgency incontinence or overactive bladder (a sudden, strong need to urinate followed by leakage), mixed incontinence (both together), and overflow or functional incontinence. Stress and urgency are by far the most common in women.

Why does incontinence become more common around menopause?

As estrogen declines in perimenopause and menopause, the tissues supporting the bladder and urethra thin and lose tone, and the pelvic floor can weaken. This is part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Pregnancy and childbirth also stretch and can injure the pelvic floor, which is why leaking often begins postpartum or later in life.

Can pelvic floor exercises actually help with leaking?

Yes. Pelvic floor muscle training (Kegels) is a first-line, evidence-based treatment, especially for stress incontinence, and bladder training helps with urgency. Many women see a meaningful reduction in leaks within a few months. A pelvic physical therapist can confirm you are engaging the right muscles and build a plan for your specific pattern.

When should I see a doctor about urinary incontinence?

Leaking is common, but it is not something you have to just live with. See a gynecologist, urologist, or pelvic physical therapist if leaks affect your daily life, sleep, intimacy, or exercise, or if you notice pain, blood in the urine, or frequent urinary tract infections. Many effective options exist, from pelvic floor therapy and bladder training to vaginal estrogen and non-surgical procedures.

References

1. Urinary Incontinence: Causes, Types & Treatment— Cleveland Clinic
2. Urge Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment— Cleveland Clinic
3. Urinary Incontinence (FAQ)— American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Keep reading

• Pelvic Floor →
• Understanding Pelvic Pain →
• Caring for Your Intimate Skin in Perimenopause →