Stress incontinence is one of the most common forms of urinary incontinence that affects both men and women. In stress incontinence, one leaks urine with activities like laughing, coughing, sneezing or running. It occurs mainly due to the weakened pelvic floor muscles that supports the urinary bladder. Stress incontinence is more prevalent in women than men, especially those who have come across childbirth. In men, it is usually due to injury or prostate surgery.
There is no single cause for stress incontinence. But this type of incontinence is mainly due to weak pelvic floor muscles or weak sphincter muscles in the neck of the urinary bladder. Also the way in which the sphincter muscle opens and closes may be one reason for stress incontinence. Certain things that lead to damage in the sphincter muscles include pelvic fracture, radical prostatectomy or bladder neck surgery.
In women, it may also be caused due to some physical changes in the body. This includes pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, menstruation, menopause, problems in bladder muscles and weakened bladder muscles. In some cases, the weak pelvic muscles causes the bladder to drop down to a position that prevents the urethra from closing completely, resulting in urine loss.
One of the main symptoms of stress incontinence is the leakage of urine during any stressful movements like laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting, exercising or running. The amount of urine leak under this type of incontinence may be as little as a drop or two or even a stream of urine.
There are numerous treatment options for stress incontinence which include the following:
1. Performing Kegel exercise helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercise should be done at least 2 to 3 times a day for 3 months and involves contracting the pelvic muscles that start and stops urine flow. Biofeedback and electrical stimulation are other physical therapies that help to treat this kind of incontinence.
2. Some medicines help to stimulate the nerves that improve the function of urethral sphincter and thus prevent urine leakage.
3. Non surgical treatments like bladder neck injections, increase the resistance to bladder emptying and prevent urine leaks.
4. When other treatments become ineffective, the last option recommended by most physicians is surgery. Surgeries can effectively treat majority of the stress incontinence cases. Ithelps to tighten or strengthen the bladder muscles. There are various surgical options available for stress incontinence, such as the tension free vaginal tape, or anterior repair, but the doctor can be the best person to help identify the appropriate one.
5. Following self help measures can greatly improve the conditions of stress incontinence. Certain measures like quit smoking, weight reduction, healthy eating habits and avoiding caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages may help prevent stress incontinence.
Prevention is often the best cure, so performing pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy helps prevent stress incontinence in the later stages of life. When stress incontinence initially begins, immediately contact your physician for help.