What is stress incontinence?
Stress incontinence refers to the leakage of urine when there is increased pressure on the bladder during exercise, sneezing, coughing, lifting, or other activities requiring exertion.
Is it normal to leak when you cough and sneeze?
It may be common to leak, but it is not normal. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is when pressure (or stress) placed on the bladder causes urinary leakage. SUI, the most prevalent form of incontinence among women, affects an estimated 15 million adult women in the U.S.
Do men experience stress incontinence?
Although it is more common in women, men also experience stress incontinence. Men may experience stress incontinence following prostate surgery.
What are some causes of stress incontinence?
Some causes of stress incontinence includes:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Injury or trauma to the pelvic floor
- Pelvic or genital surgery
- Lack of exercise
- Excessive coughing or sneezing
- Weak pelvic floor muscles or laxity in the pelvic floor
What are some lifestyle changes that may help with stress incontinence?
Chronic constipation may contribute to urinary incontinence by placing increased strain on your bladder and pelvic floor muscles. Eating high-fiber foods — whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables — to relieve and prevent constipation may be helpful.
For those overweight, losing excess pounds can help reduce the overall pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
Can incontinence be a sign of something more serious?
Any changes in continence should be assessed medically to rule out underlying medical conditions. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain while passing urine
- Weakness in the legs or loss of sensation in the legs or around the genitals or anus
- Trouble speaking or walking
- Weakness or tingling in any part of your body
- Loss of vision
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of bowel control
Who should be referred to a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist?
Individuals who…..
- Leak urine during daily activities
- Leak urine when sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting, or exercising
- Have difficulty or hesitancy starting a urine stream
- Have a strong urge to urinate that may or may not result in urine leakage
- Frequently urinate during the day (more than every 3-4 hours)
- Urinate more than once during sleeping hours
- Have difficulty getting to the bathroom because of balance, weakness, or pain
How do physical therapists treat stress incontinence?
Pelvic Health Physical Therapists have specialized training in evaluating and treating a person’s pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscles that are weak, tight, or not working in a coordinated fashion can cause urinary stress incontinence. Physical Therapists provide education, advise on how to change behaviors to reduce symptoms and provide exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and other important muscles.
Dr. Linda Kuserk is a Physical Therapist that specializes in women’s health and is an APTA certified pelvic floor therapist. She treats post-mastectomy/lumpectomy rehabilitation, pelvic pain, pregnancy or postpartum dysfunctions, pain or loss of function after gynecological or abdominal surgery and exercises for incontinence along with many other conditions. If you are interested in talking with her, give us a call at (301) 948-4395. We are more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
- As reported in the 2018, National Association for Continence, "Urinary Incontinence Overview" and in the 2010, Urolon, "Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)"