Dr Dawn's Guide to Women's Health by Dawn Harper

Author:Dawn Harper [Harper Dawn Dr]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781847093554
Publisher: John Murray Press

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is particularly common in women who have had children, especially if they have had multiple pregnancies, big babies and rapid deliveries, which stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor. It is also more common in overweight people simply because of the pressure that the excess weight puts on the bladder.

The first line of treatment is pelvic floor exercises. It is important that you are taught how to do these properly as I have met lots of women in my time who have been religiously doing their pelvic floor exercises but doing them wrongly which means that if anything they have been straining the muscles and making things worse. A nurse specialist, or physiotherapist who specialises in the pelvic floor, is the best person to show you, but basically you are aiming to replicate the feeling that you would have if you tried to stop the flow of urine midstream. You need to do eight to ten short contractions at least three times a day, followed by some longer contractions where you try to hold that feeling for ten seconds. If done correctly pelvic floor exercises can cure stress incontinence in three-quarters of women. If the muscles have been badly stretched, you may not be able to feel when you are doing it correctly, in which case your therapist may suggest you start with little devices that stimulate the muscles for you so that you get to recognize the sensation you are trying to achieve. There is also medication on prescription which can help and, if you are still struggling, your gynaecologist may recommend surgery. The exact procedure will depend on the severity of your symptoms, the results of your tests and your own wishes. It could be anything from plumping agents injected around the neck of the bladder to help support it, to tapes which can be fitted under local anaesthetic to hitch up the bladder, or more major surgery to repair weakened muscles.

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