Is the fear of a sudden bladder leak holding you back from enjoying a good laugh with friends or getting exercise? Urinary incontinence is an issue that affects up to 50% of women but doesn’t have to be permanent.
Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville addresses this sensitive concern by offering a supportive environment. Find expert care with our experienced, compassionate team of providers: Daniel McDyer, MD, and Julian Stephen Suhrer, MD.
It’s time to talk about taking control of your bladder and regaining your confidence. Here, learn what causes urinary incontinence in women and how to stop those embarrassing leaks when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise.
While urinary incontinence can take different forms for women, the type that typically causes these types of leaks is called stress incontinence.
Your pelvic floor muscles surround the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), keeping it closed until you intentionally go to the bathroom.
Stress incontinence occurs when these muscles aren’t strong enough to withstand extra pressure — like when you exert during a belly laugh or a sit-up. The pelvic floor muscles can weaken for a variety of reasons, including:
As a result, everyday actions, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending, and lifting, can lead to unexpected urine leaks.
The good news? Finding relief from stress incontinence is possible. The first step typically involves strengthening your pelvic floor muscles through exercises called Kegels. Consistent practice can significantly improve their ability to support your bladder and urethra.
Key lifestyle adjustments can also help, including maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Being mindful of your fluid intake and bladder habits can give you more control. Simple techniques like timed voiding (emptying your bladder on a schedule) may also be beneficial.
If these strategies don’t bring the relief you’re hoping for, we can explore further treatment options that fit your needs and preferences. These may include:
A pessary is a small, removable device that you insert into the vagina to help support the urethra and reduce leakage.
Localized estrogen therapy, such as creams, gels, or vaginal rings, can help to revitalize and strengthen muscles and tissues that weaken due to menopause.
This option involves injecting a material into the tissue around the urethra to improve its ability to close and prevent leaks.
If other factors contribute to urinary incontinence, such as an overactive bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI), our team can prescribe appropriate medications to address those issues.
In some cases, we may recommend surgical procedures to provide more structural support to the urethra and bladder neck for a longer-term solution.
Don’t let urinary incontinence prevent you from enjoying your life. Schedule a consultation at Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville, online or by phone, for effective solutions and compassionate care.
