According to the American Urological Association, the chances of developing bladder leakage are higher in women than in men. Find out how to treat bladder leakage in women, as well as tips on prevention for women who have high risk of experiencing female incontinence.
The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) estimated that about 30% to 50% of women experience urinary incontinence or overactive bladder (OAB). While bladder leakage in women is far from life threatening, it has a negative impact on women’s quality of life as women try to deal with embarrassing urine leakages.
Because of its sensitive nature, a bladder problem has become one of the most under-reported health conditions; a survey by the National Association for Continence revealed that people wait seven years on the average before seeking treatment for their urinary incontinence. By then, the bladder leakage is already disrupting life’s normalcy and the treatment options available to deal with it are already costly.
What Causes Bladder Leakage in Women?
Bladder leakage in women can be short-term or long-term, depending on the cause. Bladder leakage during pregnancy is relatively normal, although the amount of leakage is only minimal compared to long-term and severe cases of bladder leakage. Infections in the urinary tract and vaginal area can also contribute to bladder leakages. Alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners, as well as certain drugs such as diuretics, and unhealthy habits such as smoking also irritate the bladder and result in an overactive bladder in women. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information (NKUDI), temporary incontinence usually goes away once the causes are known and treated.
The following are some of the risk factors of developing bladder leakage in women:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Chronic constipation
- Neurological conditions
- Pelvic radiation therapy
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
Bladder leakage in women takes several forms which include stress incontinence wherein bladder leakage occurs while exercising, lifting objects, and bending over, or when a sudden pressure is applied to the diaphragm such as when sneezing, coughing, or laughing; urge incontinence, wherein a person experiences a sudden urge to urinate and the urine escapes immediately in drops or completely before there’s time to reach the bathroom; and overactive bladder, or urination that’s very frequent and disruptive of normal daily activities.
Treatment Options for Female Incontinence
Fortunately, 80% to 90% of women who undergo treatment eventually regain control of their bladder control problems. The different categories of treatment for bladder control problems according to the Mayo Clinic include:
- Behavioral Technique-Requires behavior and lifestyle changes to minimize and completely eliminate bladder control problems in women
- Physical Therapy-Includes pelvic floor muscle exercises or Kegel exercises; also, mild electrical stimulation of the rectum or vagina to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
- Medications-Includes anticholinergics, topical estrogen, imipramine, and duloxetine and used along with behavioral techniques
- Medical Devices-Includes pessary and urethral inserts specifically designed for women
- Interventional Therapies-Nerve stimulations and injections that strengthen the organs and muscles in the urinary tract
- Surgery-Minimally invasive operation that are proven effective in treating long-term bladder problems in women
- Absorbent pads and catheters-Used in the management of symptoms of bladder leakage in women
Your doctor can determine which treatment options are best for you or your loved one. Now is the time to seek medical attention for your bladder control problems. The high success rate will ensure that you can get back in control of your bladder and be free of embarrassing bladder accidents.