You’re at brunch with friends and someone tells a great story that makes you crack up. It’s a fun moment with people you love, and then suddenly you feel the urge to urinate, followed by an accident. Sound familiar? If so, know you aren’t alone. Nearly 37.5% of American women suffer from stress incontinence, and it’s especially common in those 45 and older.
At Associated Urologists of North Carolina, PA, with offices in Cary, Clayton, Dunn, Raleigh, and Wake Forest, North Carolina, our team of expert urologists specializes in treating stress incontinence. Keep reading to learn why it happens, when to seek professional help, and how it’s treated.
Stress incontinence, or stress urinary incontinence, is a common condition that causes you to lose control of your bladder. It happens when an activity or movement puts enough pressure on your bladder to cause an accident. Common triggers include coughing, sneezing, laughing, and lifting heavy objects. It can also happen while running or during other physical activities.
Regardless of the cause, many women find the condition embarrassing. So much so that they avoid spending time with loved ones or steer clear of activities they used to enjoy. But this isn’t necessary. Stress incontinence is incredibly common, and various treatments can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of accidents.
Many women who experience stress incontinence avoid talking with their loved ones or healthcare provider because of the stigma associated with accidental leaks. However, research shows that about one in three women experience it at some point.
To be clear: there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Urinary incontinence doesn’t mean you have poor hygiene or that something is wrong with you. It simply means that the muscles and soft tissues in your pelvic floor may be weak and don’t work as well as they used to.
This can happen for various reasons, but the most common is childbirth. During delivery, the pelvic floor and surrounding soft tissues undergo significant wear-and-tear, and stress incontinence often develops afterward.
The good news is that stress incontinence can easily be treated. The approach that’s best for you depends on several factors, including your age, health history, and lifestyle, but options abound.
After discussing your symptoms and completing a physical exam, we could recommend:
While conservative treatments often keep accidents to a minimum, if your stress incontinence is severe and interferes with your quality of life, we may suggest a procedure, such as midurethral sling surgery.
During this procedure, we insert a small mesh device beneath your pelvic floor to help support your muscles. This strengthens your pelvic floor and prevents urinary leakage.
Stress incontinence can be embarrassing to talk about, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Our team regularly assists women experiencing this condition and can help you achieve lasting relief. To schedule an appointment, call the nearest office in Cary, Clayton, Dunn, Raleigh, or Wake Forest, North Carolina, or use our online booking tool.
