Urinary incontinence (UI) is a subject many of us find too embarrassing to talk about, leading many women to suffer in silence.
The loss of female sex hormones during climacteric is causing changes within the urogenital tract. This leads to problems with urinary incontinence and bladder infection. This symptoms are often accompanied by inflammation of the vulva and annoying vaginal discharge. Moreover, inflammations, reduced blood flow within the urethra and bladder neck are most often the cause of discomfort in this period in women.
Urinary incontinence is when you can’t control your bladder and you pass urine when you don’t want to.
It happens when the pressure in your bladder is greater than the pressure in your urethra – the tube where urine comes out.
Does it affect every woman?
Of course not!
This occurs in approximately 30% of women. Some women undergo surgery with very good results or exercise intensively which strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Urinary incontinence can be caused by:
- birth defects
- pelvic surgery
- injury to the pelvic region or spinal cord
- neurological diseases
- multiple sclerosis
- polio infection
- degenerative changes associated with ageing – during climacteric
- pregnancy or childbirth.
- lack of flexibility in muscles
- Sagging tissues
There are different types of urinary incontinence:
- stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
It is the uncontrolled leakage of urine. It happens when you sneeze, cough, laugh, lift or exercise. These activities place extra pressure on your bladder, causing accidental leaks. Past operations and obesity contribute to such complications.
- urge urinary incontinence (UUI)
Urge urinary incontinence happens when you feel an urgent need to empty your bladder, but can’t reach the toilet in time. UUI is very common bladder problem in men and older people.
- mixed urinary incontinence (MUI)
Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.
- overflow urinary incontinence (OUI).
Overflow urinary incontinence occurs when there’s a blockage and your bladder doesn’t empty completely.
When your bladder refills, it puts pressure on the obstacle and you get a small leak of urine.
This disorder is less common in women than SUI and it is the most common type of urinary incontinence in men.