How to Treat Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is an involuntary loss of urine during activities such as coughing, sneezing or exercising. It is most common in women, particularly those who have given birth multiple times but men may suffer too, especially those who have had the prostate gland removed. Steps can be taken to reduce the effects of this uncomfortable and often embarrassing condition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Obesity and smoking are risk factors for stress incontinence, so losing weight or giving up smoking may reduce symptoms. By losing weight, less pressure is being placed on the bladder and pelvic floor.

2. Improve your diet by adding more fiber if you are frequently constipated. Straining due to constipation puts stress on the pelvic floor, making it susceptible to bladder weakness. If you notice certain foods or drinks make you need to go to the bathroom more, reduce them or eliminate them from your diet.

3. Try kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor area; a daily commitment to these exercises is needed to show any long term improvement.

4. Use incontinence pads and a moisture barrier cream if necessary. The pads will help prevent outwardly noticeable leakage and the barrier cream will help to guard against sores and irritation on skin that is often exposed to urine. Carry extra supplies of pads, cream and a change of clothes wherever you go. When you are out and about, figure out where the restrooms are, so that if you need to empty your bladder in a hurry you know where to go quickly.

5. If leakage occurs during sexual intercourse, empty the bladder before you become intimate and be prepared with towels and pads to use as necessary. Experiment with positions to find the one that causes the least discomfort to the bladder area.

6. Talk to your doctor if the problem is interfering with your daily life. Stress incontinence can often cause sufferers to become isolated from social situations to prevent embarrassment, as leakage can occur at any time. If you feel uncomfortable discussing the problem with your health professional, make a list before the appointment of the symptoms you have experienced, medications that are currently being taken, and questions that you need answered.

7. Your doctor may recommend reducing the amount of fluids drunk each day, if an above normal amount is being consumed. Avoid fluids also that contain caffeine, such as coffee or soda and alcohol as these are diuretics and may cause sudden urges to void.

8. Schedule bathroom visits as recommended by your doctor. Frequent emptying of the bladder at set times during the day, whether you feel the need to go or not may help to suppress involuntary urine leakage.

9. For women, your doctor may recommend wearing a device internally that may control urine loss by providing support for the bladder. If stress incontinence is severe, medication may be prescribed or surgery may even be required on the neck of the bladder.

Resources

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[Marilynda]

on 7/14/2009 No need to suffer with this anymore. Good article with great tips on how to treat stress incontinence 5*

[cherylphillips]

on 7/13/2009 I've heard a lot about this...great advice for a very potentially embarrassing situation! 5*