Urge Incontinence in Women
Many women may experience frequent urges to urinate and, in addition to this, feel forced to plan their lives around bathroom visits as a familiar and depressing part of their daily routine. Unfortunately, urge incontinence can occur even if you've just been to the washroom and can cause frequent disturbances in your sleep at night.
What are the symptoms?
There are several different types of female urinary incontinence. Urge incontinence describes a sudden and urgent need to urinate, resulting in involuntary urine leaks. It's caused by the bladder contracting when it shouldn't, driving urine to leak through the muscles that keep it closed.
What causes urge incontinence in women?
Often, it is difficult to identify what is causing urge incontinence. It can be anything from a bladder infection, inflammation, obstruction of the bladder opening, stones in the bladder or kidney, or a combination of these factors. More serious conditions, such as an injury to the nervous system, can also cause urge incontinence. If you have symptoms or suspect you may be struggling with urge incontinence, consult your healthcare provider.
Treatment
Many women who experience urge incontinence manage their condition without treatment or consulting a doctor. Nevertheless, if urge incontinence negatively affects your everyday routines and quality of life, it's recommended to consult a healthcare professional. Treatment options will depend on what's causing your urge incontinence, the severity of the problem, and other factors.
Guidance
Try some tips below to help manage symptoms of urge incontinence.
- Monitor your drinking habits.
- What do you drink daily? Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, pop and some teas can irritate the bladder and cause feelings of urgency. Urinary tract infections and urinary stones can also irritate the bladder and lead to feelings of urgency. If you suspect a UTI or stones, seek consultation with a doctor immediately.
- How much you drink is also an element to consider. When it comes to fluid intake and urge incontinence, there are two things to keep in mind:
- Excessive drinking can lead to a large amount of urine (polyuria). It can cause feelings of urgency and frequent visits to the bathroom, as the bladder fills quickly.
- Low fluid intake can also cause the sensation of urgency. Avoiding drinking only worsens the issue because the urine becomes too concentrated, irritates the bladder lining, and triggers urge incontinence symptoms. Dehydration is also a risk factor for constipation, which carries a known risk of contracting a urinary tract infection.
- Kegel or pelvic floor exercises. These exercises have been proven to be an effective and popular self-treatment method. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, many women find that they can improve their urge incontinence and reduce the frequency of bathroom visits. One of the main advantages of Kegel or pelvic floor exercises is that they do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere and anytime.
- Bladder retraining. A self-help method that aids in increasing bladder control by reducing the frequency of urination. It can be an effective way to treat the symptoms of urge incontinence, overactive bladder, and stress incontinence.
It incorporates:
- Increasing awareness of incontinence patterns
- Developing new habits for voiding and bladder control
- Behaviour modification, such as avoiding going to the bathroom "just in case."
- Lifestyle and dietary changes
- Bladder training to work on holding more urine
- Kegel or pelvic floor exercises
Products for Urge Incontinence
Learning how to deal with urinary leaks involves:
- Listening to your body.
- Becoming more knowledgeable about the condition.
- Consult with a health professional if needed.
Pads or other products can also help you deal with urge incontinence and leaks discreetly and effectively. Feeling comfortable and secure is crucial in helping you live life. Contact our Client Coordinators if you need help choosing a product that fits you best.