9 Causes of Incontinence in Women & How to Control Them
Written by Jason Martinez, Content Writer, FemHealth Insights
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common issue that affects millions of women in the United States. In an article published by Mayo Clinic, urinary incontinence reportedly impacts over 50% of adult women, and this number climbs higher the older you get.
Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of urinary incontinence, including its causes and effective management strategies, can significantly improve quality of life as women age. Additionally, we’ll explore the burdens of incontinence, barriers to treatment, and what female-led companies are currently solving UI. Let’s first begin with a brief overview of urinary incontinence.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, which can range from occasional minor leaks to a complete inability to control urination. As mentioned above, it is a common condition among women that can significantly impact daily life and emotional well-being. There are several types of urinary incontinence and each type is defined by its causes and triggers:
Stress incontinence: This type of incontinence occurs when physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising exert pressure on the bladder, leading to leakage. It is often caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Urge incontinence: Also known as overactive bladder (OAB for short), this type involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. It can be triggered by certain conditions such as infections, neurologic disorders, or diabetes.
Overflow incontinence: This happens when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to dribbling. It can be caused by an obstruction or nerve damage.
Functional incontinence: This type occurs when a physical or mental impairment prevents you from making it to the restroom in time.
Mixed incontinence: This is a combination of more than one type of incontinence, typically, it refers to stress and urge incontinence.
Now that we understand the basics of urinary incontinence and its types, let’s discuss the causes.
Age
One of the most common causes of urinary incontinence is age. As we age, bladder muscles lose strength and capacity, and involuntary bladder contractions become more frequent.
Regular pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, and bladder training can help manage incontinence due to age-related changes. Scheduling bathroom visits and reducing fluid intake before bedtime can also be extremely useful strategies to control incontinence.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy increases the pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles due to hormonal changes and the growing fetus. This can lead to stress incontinence, where activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising cause leakage.
To manage incontinence during pregnancy, women can practice pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegel exercises, which strengthen the muscles that control urination. Practicing pelvic floor exercises during your pregnancy can also provide additional benefits during the labor and delivery process, as well as in recovery.
Vaginal Delivery
Additionally, vaginal delivery can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and damage nerves that control the bladder, leading to stress incontinence.
In fact, Materna Medical is creating a medical device to help stop pelvic floor injuries during childbirth. Preventing these injuries will decrease the short and long term chances of developing urinary incontinence.
Continuing pelvic floor exercises before, during, and after pregnancy can help strengthen the muscles that control the bladder.
Menopause
During menopause, estrogen levels decrease, leading to the weakening of the bladder and urethral tissues, which can cause incontinence.
Hormone replacement therapy may help manage symptoms by replenishing estrogen. Additionally, avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol, and practicing pelvic floor exercises can improve bladder control.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
UTIs can irritate the bladder, causing strong urges to urinate and sometimes incontinence.
By treating infections promptly with antibiotics and increasing fluid intake to flush out bacteria, you can help resolve the side effects of UTIs. Good hygiene and safe sex practices are key proactive measures you can take to prevent recurrence.
There are also many femtech companies creating safe and effective products to prevent, treat, and recover from UTIs including Uquora supplements and MyUTI at-home test kit.
Obesity
Obesity is another common cause of incontinence. Extra weight puts pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles, thus weakening them over time and causing stress incontinence.
Through a healthy diet and regular exercise, the decreased pressure can reduce incontinence symptoms and improve overall health.
Neurological Disorders
Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and strokes can interfere with the nerves that control the bladder, leading to various types of incontinence.
Medications prescribed by a healthcare provider can manage bladder symptoms. Pelvic floor therapy and, in some cases, nerve stimulation treatments may also be recommended.
Chronic Constipation
Straining during bowel movements can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and increase the chances of incontinence.
A high-fiber diet, adequate fluid intake, and regular exercise can help prevent constipation. Avoiding straining and practicing good bowel habits are crucial.
Medications and Lifestyle Factors
Certain medications, caffeine, and alcohol can irritate the bladder and increase urine production, leading to incontinence.
Adjusting medications under a doctor’s supervision and reducing the intake of bladder irritants can help manage symptoms. Implementing a regular bathroom schedule and staying hydrated without overloading the bladder are effective strategies.
Effective Management Strategies for Urinary Incontinence
In addition to addressing the specific causes, several general strategies can help control urinary incontinence:
Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol are crucial to controlling incontinence. Regular exercise, including pelvic floor exercises, can also strengthen the muscles that support bladder control.
Bladder Training: Scheduling regular bathroom visits and increasing the time between visits can help train the bladder to hold urine for longer periods.
Pelvic Floor Exercises: Regularly practicing Kegel exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, reducing symptoms of stress and urge incontinence. Biofeedback and pelvic floor electrical stimulation can enhance the effectiveness of these exercises.
Medications: Various medications can help manage incontinence by stabilizing bladder muscle contractions or relaxing the bladder muscles to allow complete emptying. Hormone replacement therapies may also be beneficial for postmenopausal women.
Medical Devices and Surgery: For severe cases, medical devices like sacral neuromodulation devices or surgical options may be necessary. These can range from injections of bulking agents to surgical procedures like sling surgery or bladder suspension.
Absorbent Products: Protective pads, shields, or specially designed absorbent undergarments can help manage leaks discreetly, allowing individuals to maintain an active lifestyle without embarrassment.
Biofeedback: also known as biofeedback therapy, is an alternative medicine approach and another effective management strategy. Biofeedback is a popular management strategy for incontinence because it utilizes measuring devices that help patients understand how to gain control over certain bodily functions. When done with pelvic floor exercises, doctors can analyze the results from these devices and help patients understand if they are using the right muscles to control their urination. According to Advanced Urology, studies have found that biofeedback can improve bladder control by 94%.
Addressing urinary incontinence requires a comprehensive approach tailored to the underlying causes and individual needs. By combining lifestyle changes, exercises, medical treatments, and support, urinary incontinence can be effectively managed and the impact of urinary incontinence on daily lives can be reduced.
Challenges in Preventing and Treating Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence imposes significant economic burdens. Out-of-pocket costs can include expenses for protective pads, medications, and in some cases, surgical treatments. These costs can add up quickly, leading to considerable financial strain if other management strategies are unsuccessful. Additionally, the condition impacts work productivity; for example, patients may need to take frequent breaks or miss days at work in severe cases.
There are several barriers to seeking treatment for urinary incontinence. As we mentioned, financial constraints can make it difficult to afford medical consultations, treatments, and necessary products. Additionally, there can be a lack of specialists, particularly in rural areas, making access to proper care challenging.
Demographic variations play a role in the prevalence and experience of urinary incontinence. Older women, those who have given birth, and women who are overweight are more likely to experience incontinence. Socioeconomic status can also influence access to treatment and management options, with those in lower-income brackets facing more significant barriers.
Urinary incontinence often intersects with other health conditions in women. For instance, conditions like diabetes, obesity, and neurological disorders (such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease) can exacerbate incontinence. Additionally, chronic constipation and recurrent urinary tract infections are both associated with higher rates of incontinence.
There is a growing need for improved education among urologists and other physicians regarding female urinary incontinence. While many doctors are knowledgeable about the condition, ongoing training and awareness are necessary to ensure they can provide the most up-to-date and effective treatments. This includes understanding the latest non-surgical and surgical options, as well as the importance of addressing the psychological and social impacts of incontinence.
Companies Addressing Incontinence
Attn: Grace
Attn: Grace is an incontinence care company that was founded by Mia Abbruzzese and Alexandra Fennell. The company specializes in skin-safe incontinence products that help women manage incontinence in their daily lives. The list of products includes absorbent liners, pads, and briefs.
INNOVO
INNOVO is a medical device company that develops noninvasive incontinence devices. The device they manufacture is a pair of shorts that help women strengthen pelvic floor muscles by sending a pulse to perform kegel exercises. Dr. Ruth Maher is the founder and co-inventor of INNOVO.
Jude
Jude is a healthcare company that addresses the alternative medicine side of bladder incontinence. The company was founded by female business owner, Peony Li, in the United Kingdom. Jude primarily manufactures supplements but also provides incontinence products like underwear and liners.
Coo-Wee
Coo-Wee is a urinary incontinence device company founded by Sara Clappers. She started her company out of frustration with absorbent pads and liners and sought to create a modern solution for women. The company’s primary product is a Coo-Wee, a small cup that puts pressure on the pelvic floor and bladder to help stop bladder leaks.
Renalis
Renalis is a Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDT) company that develops software applications for treating pelvic health disorders. Their products are FDA-cleared and help deliver evidence-based therapeutic inventions to patients who are currently being treated by a doctor for overactive bladder (OAB). Renalis’ first product, CeCe, is a mobile-enhanced digital therapeutic application that is designed to support the first line of treatment for OAB.
About the Author:
Jason Martinez is a professional writer with over three years of experience, frequently producing educational content around marketing, health, and pop culture.
