Do I Have Stress Incontinence? (Video)
I leak when I cough, sneeze, laugh and run after my children. It varies but is usually just a small amount. The problem is I cannot control it at all. It's embarrassing and catches me unawares. It's also effecting my confidence and restricting my lifestyle. Is this stress incontinence?
Published on Feb 01, 2011
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What are the symptoms of Stress Incontinence?
Many women experience these symptoms of leaking small amounts of urine when they do any sudden movement that puts extra pressure on their bladder.
The problem is called stress incontinence. It’s so common that it is estimated to effect around 1 in 3 women at some point in their lives.
What could be the cause of Stress Incontinence?
Stress incontinence is usually due to weakness and stretching of the pelvic floor structures during childbirth. It seems that even women who have had a caesarean section may still experience stress incontinence.
Perhaps just carrying a baby around for 9 months can weaken pelvic floor structures.
The problem may even start before childbirth for some women. Statistics show that around 50% of women leak urine during pregnancy.
Some find the problem persists after their baby is born and that the leaks become worse with further pregnancies.
What exactly happens to make me leak?
Imagine the bladder is a balloon with a small amount of air inside and that the neck of the balloon has not been knotted. If you want to keep the air inside the balloon you would squeeze the neck tight with your fingers.
If your fingers could not squeeze hard enough then air would escape from the balloon when it was put under pressure.
Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder neck in a similar way to fingers holding the balloon. If pelvic floor muscles work effectively they will stop any urine leaking out of the bladder when it is put under pressure.
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