What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of urinary incontinence. In this condition, urine leaks out because the sphincter muscles in the bladder and urethra cannot hold the sudden pressure on the bladder, resulting in the sphincter muscles opening briefly. SUI can occur during physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. A person may also experience a leak when standing.

What are the Symptoms of SUI?

When a person has stress incontinence, they may leak urine under the following circumstances:

• Coughing or sneezing
• Laughing loudly
• Crouching or kneeling
• Holding heavy objects
• Performing exercises or gymnastics
• During intercourse

This condition varies among individuals. A person with SUI may not always experience incontinence, but several activities can increase bladder pressure, making a person prone to unintentional urine leaks, especially when the bladder is full.

What Happens in Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Stress Urinary Incontinence occurs when the sphincter muscles and tissues supporting the urethra are damaged. In this process, the bladder functions normally and fills with urine. Normally in women, the valve-like muscles in the pelvic floor, including the urethra (the short tube that carries urine out of the body), close as the bladder expands, preventing urine leakage until you attempt to urinate. When these muscles are damaged or become weak, any force on the abdominal and pelvic muscles due to sneezing, bending over, lifting, or laughing hard can lead to a bladder leak.

The pelvic floor muscles, urethra, and urinary sphincter may lose strength due to the following reasons:

• Childbirth: In women, childbirth exerts extra pressure on the sphincter muscles, urethra, and pelvic floor. A woman may experience this problem months or even years after delivery.
• Prostate surgery: In men, SUI is not common but can occur when the prostate gland is surgically removed to treat prostate cancer (prostatectomy). Prostate removal can damage the sphincter because it lies just below the prostate gland and encircles the urethra.

Other common factors contributing to SUI include:

• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Smoking, which can cause severe coughing
• Medications with SUI as a side effect
• Excessive beverage consumption
• Constipation

When to Consider Seeing a Doctor?

Many believe there is no treatment for SUI, but this is false. While aging can make a person more prone to SUI, it is treatable, and leakages can be reduced or controlled. If incontinence is disrupting your daily life, consult with your doctor. They can provide a wide range of treatment options for SUI.

How is SUI Diagnosed?

To start the diagnosis of SUI, you must first discuss your medical history, consumption habits, and bladder control issues with your doctor. They may perform several examinations to assess your health condition. The tests your doctor may perform include:

• Physical Examination
• Urine Examination
• Bladder Ultrasound Examination
• Stress Test
• Cystoscopy
• Urodynamic Testing
• Pad Testing

What are the Treatment Options for SUI?

Several methods can treat SUI in individuals. These treatments include:

• Behavioral Therapy: This involves lifestyle changes to reduce incontinence episodes. Techniques may include bladder training and scheduled toilet trips.
• Pelvic Muscle Training: Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles that control urination.
• Medications: Certain medications can help manage symptoms by strengthening the urethra and improving bladder function.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgical procedures may be recommended to support the bladder or improve sphincter function.

By understanding SUI and exploring treatment options, individuals can manage symptoms effectively and improve their quality of life. If you experience symptoms of SUI, consult with a healthcare professional to discuss the best treatment plan for you.