Millions of women around the world suffer from this symptom, and the severity varies greatly from woman to woman. In some cases, they may only feel the release of a small amount of urine during a run or after coughing, whereas in other cases, more seriously affected individuals may feel the need to urinate immediately, only to realize that urine has already been released.
Women have twice as many incidences of urinary incontinence as compared to men for many reasons. These include the general structure of the urinary tract, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which can significantly contribute to the condition. Additionally, diseases and afflictions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, or congenital physical abnormalities can also contribute to urinary incontinence. The incidence of urinary incontinence increases with age, but it should not be passively accepted. For instance, the nerves that communicate with the bladder can cause incontinence in women. However, urinary incontinence is easily treadiv, and there are a wide variety of treatments available to pinpoint the source of the problem.
Urinary incontinence (UI) can be classified into four different types, based on symptoms. These include:
The doctor will perform a number of tests to determine the underlying cause of urinary incontinence. Once the root of the urinary incontinence is discovered, an appropriate treatment plan can be discussed to best manage symptoms and treat the underlying cause. Many women may feel embarrassed about their symptoms or feel that they cannot engage in normal activities, but a wide variety of treatments are available. The doctor may suggest a journal record of urination amount and frequency and leakage incidents. The doctor may perform a urine lab analysis or a bladder stress test (in which the patient is asked to duplicate “physically stressful” conditions where urine may be unwillingly released). The doctor may also test the urinary tract with an ultrasound or a small camera test known as a cystoscopy.