Although incontinence remains a taboo subject, it affects nearly 6.5 million women in France. Many people mistakenly believe that only the elderly can suffer from incontinence. However, age, professional and personal circumstances are not good indicators.All women can experience bladder weaknessat some point in their lives. This is a real public health issue as1 in 10 womensuffer from urinary incontinence. Most women suffer in silence and do not seek professional help, often because they are embarrassed or ashamed to talk about this issue. In most cases, simple solutions can be put in place to resolve or reduce leakage quickly, even if incontinence has been present for several months or years.
Bladder weakness, also known as urinary incontinence, is characterised by an involuntary loss of urine that can occur at any time of the day. This can range from a few drops to all the urine held in the bladder.
According to the cause of the leakage, three distinct types of urinary incontinence are identified
It is characterised by a leakage in the form of a stream, not very abundantandwithout any prior feeling of need, but which occurssuddenlywhile performing physical effort in daily life (such as performing any sports, carrying a heavy load, etc.) but also when coughing, laughing or sneezing. If the degree of incontinence is high, leakage can occur even with a small amount of effort, such as getting up from a chair. This is the most common type of incontinence in women (50% of cases).
Also known as urge incontinence, is characterised by an uncontrollable andurgent need to urinate that cannot be held until reaching a bathroom. Unlike stress urinary incontinence, there are no external triggers. The urge to urinate comes on suddenly and cannot be delayed. However, there are situations that can exacerbate this phenomenon: one of the best known is the “key in the door” symptom, which leads to a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate. It is also often referred to as “overactive bladder” because the urge to urinate occurs frequently and with small amounts of urine. This is a rare type of incontinence in women.
It is a combination of the two forms of incontinence mentioned above: stress and urge. One third of women suffer from this form of incontinence, which involves both the urge to urinate during stress and the urge to urinate unexpectedly.
Why do women have urinary leakage?
All women can experience urinary leaks at any age and at any stage of their life. The causes of leaks are varied, and their occurrence cannot be generalized. In fact, many people mistakenly believe that only older individuals suffer from incontinence. Age, professional situation, or personal circumstances are not reliable indicators. Of course, they should be considered, as they all directly or indirectly affect the tone of our muscles, along with many other factors.
There are many risk factors that can influence the onset of bladder weakness
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Poor lifestyle |
An unbalanced diet or too much caffeinated or alcoholic beverages can lead to bladder weakness. If you suffer from incontinence, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking water or herbal tea. Smoking is also an important factor in urinary incontinence. Please note that it is not a direct cause of incontinence but rather an aggravating factor. The chronic coughing associated with smoking puts pressure on the pelvic floor from the abdominal muscles, which can weaken the pelvic muscle. |
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Pregnancy and childbirth |
Pregnancy is probably the most well-known risk factor. The weight of the baby for 9 months on the pelvic floor and the passage of the baby during vaginal deliveries can weaken and damage the pelvic floor. Approximately 15-40% of women will suffer from incontinence after giving birth. It is therefore important to learn how to relax the pelvic floor during pregnancy and to re-educate the pelvic floor after childbirth to restore its tone and avoid urinary leaks. |
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Being overweight |
Statistically, overweight people are more likely to develop urinary incontinence. Obesity also increases the severity of the condition. It is necessary to adopt a healthy and balanced diet (rich in fibre to promote transit) to maintain a balanced body mass index (BMI), as well as performing sports to keep fit and tone the abdominal muscles. |
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Sports with jerks or that overtax the pelvic floor |
Some sports can put excessive pressure on the abdomen, leading to urine leakage. This is the case for trampolining, gymnastics, athletics, horse riding, volleyball, handball, etc. Health professionals recommend physical activities without shock or jumping such as swimming, walking, cycling or pilates. It is also important to ensure that you always exhale during exercise by contracting your pelvic floor “beforehand”. |
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Back Problems |
Poor posture can lead to pressure on the organs that press harder on the pelvic floor. Excessive pressure on the pelvic floor can weaken it and create tension that can lead to pelvic and/or lower back pain. It is important to correct your posture and stand up straight! |
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Repeated abdominal thrusts |
Carrying heavy loads, sneezing, coughing or laughing, chronic constipation… all these efforts can be responsible for urine leakage. It is important to remember to contract the pelvic floor at each effort in order to avoid minor accidents. |
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Menopause |
The decrease in pelvic floor muscle tone caused by hormonal decline can lead to bladder weakness. Consulting a healthcare professional to find a suitable solution can help, but most of the time by training the pelvic floordaily can solve much of the problem. |
Regardless of the frequency and amount, even the loss of a very small quantity of urine is likely linked to urinary incontinence. The mere fact of having difficulty holding it in to go to the toilet, difficulty holding back gas, or a lack of sensation and/or pain during sexual intercourse, vaginal heaviness... are all signs that should lead to consulting a health professional who can help resolve this incontinence problem. Indeed, most of the symptoms will be linked to a pelvic floor that is no longer toned enough, and pelvic floor rehabilitation can help resolve some of these problems.
Only 10% of women who experience urinary leaks are aware that they suffer from incontinence and consider this disorder to be a problem. These women are generally bothered in their daily lives and wear protection. The others consider that they are not incontinent and adapt their activities to avoid risky situations. They are unaware that solutions exist that could allow them to quickly resolve their problem of urinary leaks and, above all, prevent it from getting worse
A prlvic organ prolapse can occur if urinary incontinence is not treated. The pelvic floor, which is then too relaxed and slack, can no longer ensure its supportive role. The genital organs can at that point gradually descend until they end up outside the body
In addition to physical symptoms, leaks impact the quality of life of two-thirds of the women who suffer from them. Whether it is family, social, sexual, or professional quality of life, the consequences are numerous. In women suffering from urinary leaks, we observe, for example, a decrease in physical and sports activities, a repercussion on social and personal activities, but also a psychological and emotional impact, and even effects on the quality of sleep and sexual intercourse
The vast majority of women suffer in silence and do not consult health professionals, often out of embarrassment or shame to talk about this subject which they consider to be inevitable. In most cases, simple solutions can be put in place to quickly resolve or reduce leaks, even if the incontinence has been present for several months or years
Strengthen your pelvic floor to stop urinary leaks
The pelvic floor is a muscle like any other in our body. It is true that it is invisible, we cannot see it, and it is even too often forgotten, but this only increases its importance. It is therefore important and above all essential to take care of it and maintain it through one’s life. To avoid the symptoms of incontinence, you simply need tobuild up your muscles and train your pelvic floor to keep it toned. It’s a bit like doing the same with your abdominal muscles to keep your stomach flat and muscular. There are different methods for re-educating the pelvic floor. There isno age limitto start training your pelvic floor in order to keep it toned andavoid urinary leaks. Even if started several months or years after giving birth, perineal rehabilitation can be beneficial when the pelvic floor is weakened.
Strengthen your pelvic floor at home
Health professionals recommend doing self-training exercises at home. Regular training is necessary to maintain pelvic muscle tone and to maintain the work done with your practitioner. Contractions, posture and essential exercises can be used to maintain the tone of the pelvic floor and reduce the pressure applied to it.
See your contractions in real time
Track your progress
Reminders See your contractions in real timeTrack your progressReminders There are many treatments for urinary incontinence. In most cases, bladder weakness can be reduced or cured with a suitable solution such as a perineal rehabilitation. In the past, stop-piping (interrupting the flow of urine during urination) was recommended as a way of working on the pelvic floor, but it is no longer recommended as a suitable rehabilitation technique. If practised repeatedly, it can lead to urinary tract infections but also to “bad neurological programming during urination”. Urinary disorders can occur as a result of too frequent stop-piping.
epending on the type of incontinence you suffer from, medication solutions may also be offered to you in addition to rehabilitation. In cases where the symptoms of urinary leaks are too bothersome or in the event of an organ prolapse, surgical solutions may also be considered, depending on the severity and the type of incontinence
Several health professionals can help you find a solution adapted to your urinary leak problems and refer you to specialists. Do not hesitate to bring up the subject during your consultation with your general practitioner, urologist, gynecologist, physiotherapist, midwife... Today, still too few practitioners spontaneously address this subject with consulting patients, so do not hesitate to take the first step. All these health professionals can help you get better and no longer face urinary leaks alone
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