Bladder (urinary) incontinence refers to the accidental loss of urine. It is estimated that more than 50% of women experience urinary incontinence. There are four major types of urinary incontinence:

• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) – this refers to the unintentional loss of urine during exertional activities such as coughing, laughing, jumping, running, etc
• Urge Incontinence – women who suffer from urge incontinence find that they have a sudden and intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. They may find that they can’t get to the bathroom quick enough or wake at night with an urgent need to void
• Mixed Incontinence – this refers to women who have symptoms of both urge and stress incontinence. It is quite common to have mixed incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence – this is related to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely and occasionally gets so full that urine is lost involuntarily

Stress Urinary Incontinence can be further classified into two categories:

• Urethral Hypermobility
  This occurs when the pelvic structures (muscles, connective tissue including collagen) loose their ability to support the urethra. Exertional activities (running, coughing, etc) can cause the urethra to drop and urine to leak out
• Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency
  This occurs when the urethra is not able to close tight enough to keep urine in the bladder during exertional activities

Urinary Incontinence can have a major impact on a woman’s health and quality of life. These effects include:

• Decreased physical activity
• Depression, anxiety, loss of self-esteem
• Sexual dysfunction
• Avoiding of social activities
• Embarrassment from urine odor and leaks
• Restriction of fluid intake

The symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) may include leaking urine when you:

• Cough, sneeze or laugh
• Walk, exercise or lift
• Engage in intercourse
• Get up from a seated or lying position

You may be suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) if:

• You wear pads to absorb urine
• You avoid or reduce certain activities (like working out in the gym or playing with your children) to prevent “accidents”
• You go to the bathroom frequently to keep your bladder empty to avoid unwanted urine loss
• You plan your activities and trips around the availability of restrooms

Sometimes women are told that unwanted urine loss is a natural part of aging. Although it is common, SUI shouldn’t be regarded as normal. SUI can be caused by:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Chronic heavy lifting and straining
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Smoking

There are solutions for urinary incontinence. One of the safest and least invasive methods is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. If you would like to book an appointment with Merle Morton of the Canadian Continence Clinic at the Allan Centre please call us at 403-271-2550.