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Home › Articles › Living with Incontinence › Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence

Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence

A Common Condition with Surprising Remedies

By Katherine Bontrager

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"Research has shown that less than half of incontinent women seek help for the condition despite the fact that most patients can be cured," he says. "Many women are embarrassed or are taught that it is a normal part of aging. While it is incredibly common, it is not normal to have poor bladder control, and every woman has the right to seek help and regain control and dignity."

Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence-A Common Condition With Surprising Remedies

Uncovering Causes
During pregnancy and childbirth, the body goes through a profound change. Dr. Goldberg refers to the pelvic floor – a group of muscles, nerves and connective tissues that supports all the pelvic organs including the bladder. Pregnancy and birth can weaken the supports around the bladder and vagina, so the nerves and muscles become less effective at holding urine within the bladder, resulting in SUI.

"Vaginal birth is certainly one life event which is a significant risk factor," says Dr. Lind. "Cesarean delivery decreases but does not eliminate the chances of becoming incontinent and carries with it other risks. Pushing for very long periods of time (more than three hours) and forceps deliveries are associated with increases in incontinence. Other conditions which are associated with incontinence include connective tissue weakness, asthma, tobacco use and long-term constipation."

Seeking Treatments
The first battle against SUI is prevention, and Dr. Goldberg believes it is imperative women learn how to prepare for labor and delivery, including such important procedures as episiotomy, forceps and Cesarean section to reduce their risk of incontinence later on. "The way you have your baby is tremendously important to your bladder control, pelvic and sexual function afterwards, and these issues have unfortunately been overlooked until now," he says. "Avoiding unnecessary procedures, learning the best pushing styles, understanding your risk for pelvic injury, these are factors that need to be discussed right alongside Lamaze breathing and prenatal vitamins."


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Re: Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence by anonymous on 03/19/2009 05:45PM

When you are pregnant, it presses on your bladder, so yeah, it is a problem.

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