Stress Urinary Incontinence: Bladder Leakage Is Common, and We Can Help

Imagine this: You're at a social gathering. You’re engaged in lively conversation, when you suddenly burst out laughing, or even worse — you sneeze. In that split second, you feel a trickle, and panic sets in.

Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Stress urinary incontinence affects as many as 1 in 3 women. It can be embarrassing and make you shy away from activities you once enjoyed, but the good news is, there are ways to manage and even overcome it.

Our team at South Valley Women's Health Care can help. We offer personalized care for bladder problems, and here’s what you need to know about the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and how treatment can make a difference.

Recognizing the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence

While symptoms can vary from person to person, there’s one telltale sign of stress urinary incontinence: urine leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure. This includes activities like laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting heavy objects, or even just standing up.

Along with leakage with certain activities, you might also notice:

• Feeling a sudden urge to urinate that’s hard to control
• Needing to urinate frequently, including during the night
• Feeling a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
• Experiencing urine leakage during sexual activity

For many women, the cause behind stress urinary incontinence is weakened pelvic floor muscles or a compromised urethral sphincter. These muscles help control the flow of urine, and when they're weak, accidents can happen.

Why does stress urinary incontinence happen?

Stress urinary incontinence can affect both men and women, but it’s particularly common among women. That’s because pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can take a toll on your pelvic floor.

The process of pregnancy and delivery can stretch and weaken your pelvic floor muscles, leading to bladder control issues postpartum or later in life. Hormonal changes during menopause can further exacerbate the problem because declining estrogen levels can weaken the tissues that support your bladder and urethra.

Finding treatment for stress urinary incontinence

Regardless of gender, age, or medical history, stress urinary incontinence can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It’s often a source of embarrassment, anxiety, and even social withdrawal.

The good news is we offer effective treatments. Our team starts with a thorough consultation, where we discuss your symptoms, perform an exam, and review your medical history. We may order additional testing to confirm your diagnosis, then we create your personalized treatment plan.

Lifestyle changes

For mild incontinence, we often start by recommending a few simple lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding constipation (which can strain your pelvic floor), and practicing pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and improve control.

Medication

In some cases, we prescribe medication to help alleviate symptoms. These medications work by tightening your urethral sphincter or relaxing your bladder muscles, which can help make accidents less likely.

Pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic floor therapy is a powerful tool for treating urinary incontinence. This specialized form of physical therapy is noninvasive, and it focuses on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through targeted exercises and techniques. A trained therapist can provide personalized guidance and support to help you regain control and confidence.

If you're living with stress urinary incontinence, help is available. Schedule a consultation with our team at South Valley Women's Health Care online or call our Bluffdale, Utah, office at 801-569-2626.