Urinary incontinence is a condition that may be managed and is not a natural part of aging. Stress incontinence and urge incontinence, often known as overactive bladder, are the two most frequent types of urine incontinence that affect women. Women are affected twice as much as men when it comes to incontinence. This could be because urine incontinence is more common during pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
Do You Have Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Infection of the urinary tract is common among people who hold their urge and go for washroom which are in an unhygienic condition. Over a period, the UTI may be resolved with proper medication.
Still, one may have to face urinary incontinence, which is another painful condition as far as an individual’s personal hygiene is concerned. Though this situation is seen more in females, even males have to face this health issue at a later age, said an expert.
The loss of bladder control or spilling pee is known as urinary incontinence. The kidneys produce urine which is then deposited in the bladder. The moment you need to urinate, the muscles in your bladder contract. Urine is forced out of your bladder through a tube called the urethra when the bladder muscles contract. Sphincter muscles around the urethra relax at the same time, allowing urine to exit the body.
Incontinence might occur when the bladder muscles suddenly tighten, and the sphincter muscles aren’t strong enough to pinch the urethra shut. You may be unable to manage a sudden powerful urge to urinate as a result of this. Urine leakage can be induced by the pressure created by laughing, sneezing or exercising.
Urinary incontinence can also occur if the nerves that regulate the bladder muscles and urethra are damaged. You may leak a tiny amount of pee or a large volume of urine all at once if you have urinary incontinence.
Women are twice as likely as males to experience urinary incontinence. This is because the bladder urethra and other muscles that support these organs are affected by reproductive health events unique to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
Women of any age can develop urinary incontinence; however, it is more common in older women. This is most likely due to hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Urinary incontinence affects more than 4 out of 10 women over the age of 65.
Pregnancy delivery and menopause are all health events that can impact the urinary tract and associated muscles in women. The muscles that support the bladder urethra, uterus (womb), and bowels in the pelvic floor may be weakened or injured. Urinary incontinence or leakage can result from increased tension or pressure on the bladder and urethra.
In addition, the urethra of a woman is shorter than that of a man. Urinary incontinence is more likely in women if their urethra is weak or damaged. This is because there is less muscle to keep the urine in until you need to urinate.
Incontinence is not a sickness in and of itself. Urinary incontinence is frequently a sign of a more serious health issue such as weak pelvic floor muscles.
Some women experience various urinary symptoms in addition to incontinence:
- A strong urge to urinate due to pressure or spasms in the pelvic area
- Using the restroom more frequently than normal.
- Urinating in the middle of the night.
Problems with the muscles and nerves that assist the bladder in holding or passing pee are the most common causes of urinary incontinence. These muscles and nerves can be affected by certain health events that are particular to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
