Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. It is a very common problem, with an estimated prevalence of 8 to 30%. The incidence increases with age. By sex, it is women who suffer more from incontinence, it is estimated that one in four women may experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime.
Urinary incontinence is a problem that causes a loss or limitation of the quality of life of women. In many cases, it has a psychological impact, as well as limitations in daily life (repeatedly looking for toilets when going out, not being able to practice the sport we like, or other situations).
For a solution, it is important to consult a specialist.
What factors can influence a woman to suffer from urinary incontinence?
The problem is due to a set of things or what we medically call risk factors: age, pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, tissue genetics (collagen) and others.
How can we identify that urinary incontinence becomes a “problem” and is not a one-off?
The causes of urinary incontinence are diverse, but the two most frequent in women are urine leakage during exertion (coughing, laughing, sneezing, running and others), which is caused by an anatomical defect of the tissues that hold the urethra (urine outlet). The second cause is urge incontinence, which has its origin in an alteration of the central control of the urge to urinate.
Incontinence can be occasional due to a urinary tract infection or during pregnancy or in the immediate postpartum period. Incontinence is usually a problem that once it appears, we have to consult a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Can we prevent incontinence?
Yes, we can prevent and/or treat incontinence.
Prevention is especially effective if we avoid risk factors. Some of these factors are modifiable: avoiding obesity, establishing a micturition schedule (not holding the urge to urinate for hours), not forcing the intake of water or liquids. Others are not avoidable: pregnancy and childbirth, neurological diseases, genetics.
There is scientific evidence to prevent incontinence in some of the non-avoidable risk factors, for example, doing pelvic floor muscle exercises during pregnancy.
How is urinary incontinence treated?
The treatment of urinary incontinence is based on the combination of several therapeutic strategies in multiple cases. Avoidance of bladder irritants (caffeine, smoking, excessive fluid intake), pelvic floor rehabilitation, drugs, tampons or even surgery on the pelvic muscle and structures.
Surgery is indicated when the problem causing incontinence is due to a weakness of the pelvic floor muscle structures.
It is very important to have previously made a good assessment through an interview and examination by a professional specialist in pelvic floor pathology.
There are multiple corrective techniques for incontinence, but the most frequently indicated is the placement of a small mesh (synthetic fabric) under the urethra (urine outflow duct). The surgical technique is performed vaginally without the need for external scars, and postoperative recovery is usually quick and painless.
How are the results and the return to normality?
Depending on the type of stress incontinence for which the surgery has been performed, the healing results can be around 80-95% of the cases.
In the postoperative period a series of recommendations are given during the first 15 days, which are to avoid intense physical efforts, baths, sexual intercourse and vaginal tampons. It is also warned that you may have discomfort or pain in the groin area and present vaginal discharge with hematic debris (blood) the first few days.
From fifteen days after surgery, if there are no special situations, normal life can be carried out.