SUI, or stress urinary incontinence, is a condition where the patient suffers from leakage of urine during physical activity, which puts pressure on the abdomen. It can happen due to sneezing, coughing, exercising, or even laughing. Stress urinary incontinence is the most common type of incontinence when it comes to urinary tract issues in women. 

Putting pressure on the bladder causes leakage, meaning that the person passes small amounts of urine when coughing, laughing, etc. Exercises such as running, jumping, or lifting can also put pressure on the abdomen and cause urine leakage. 

Causes of SUI are most commonly connected to the weakening of tissues and muscles which support the urethra and the bladder. The point of intersection between these two organs tends to descend during activities, preventing the urethra from functioning correctly, i.e., from controlling the urine flow. Additionally, the weakening of the sphincter muscle which controls the functioning of the urethra can also cause urine leakage. Pregnancy, labor, giving birth, uterine prolapse, aging, pelvic surgery, and the like are some additional potential causes of SUI. 

If you start noticing urine leakage, speaking to an experienced professional is very important. You need to choose your doctor carefully because their support and guidance will be crucial for your recovery from SUI. Clinics such as Women’s Care of Bradenton have specialized staff who have plenty of experience when it comes to SUI, so make sure to pick a good service provider before starting your treatment path. 

Types of Urinary Incontinence and Risk Factors

Gynecologic Problems, Urinary Incontinence, Female Health. Woman Holds Hands Between Her Legs

Stress urinary incontinence is just one type of this condition. People usually suffer from urge incontinence together with SUI, which is called mixed incontinence. When a person has an overactive bladder, urinary incontinence occurs because of the urgent need to urinate. 

Another type of UI is overflow incontinence, where leakage of urine occurs because the bladder either cannot be completely emptied or is too full. 

Different risk factors can influence the development of SUI, and the most frequent ones include: 

  • Vaginal delivery 
  • Pregnancy 
  • Menopause 
  • Nerve issues in the lower back or the pelvis 
  • Being overweight 
  • Hysterectomy
  • Chronic cough
  • Diabetes 
  • Prostate cancer surgery
  • Enlarged prostate surgery
  • Uterine prolapse 

Symptoms and Diagnosis 

The most apparent symptom of SUI is the leakage of urine. When the condition is mild, the leakage is minimal, i.e. the person experiences only a few drops of urine during physical activities. When the condition is severe, there are many more urine leaks (up to a tablespoon) during simple activities such as bending over or standing up. Even sexual intercourse can cause the leakage of urine.

When it comes to diagnosis, doctors take several steps to determine how severe your condition is. First, the doctor asks about the symptoms you are experiencing and performs a physical exam, which includes a pelvic exam. It is advised to keep a “bladder journal” a few days before the appointment to note the amount of fluids you take, how often you use the bathroom, and how severe the leakage is. All of this can immensely help your doctor. 

After the physical exam, different tests are done to get a final diagnosis, such as: 

  • Urinary pad test where the patient wears a pad for 24 hours; afterward, the pad is weighed to measure the volume of urine that leaked.
  • A bladder scan is a short ultrasound that shows whether the patient is emptying the bladder properly. 
  • Ultrasound is used to assess the health of the kidneys, bladder, and similar organs through the pelvis or the abdomen. 
  • Urinalysis is used to check if there are any infections in the urine, if there is a urinary tract infection or if the patient suffers from hematuria (blood in urine).
  • Cystoscopy is used to examine the urinary tract using a scope.
  • Urodynamic testing is a group of tests to check if your urinary system holds and releases urine properly, as well as how much urine is left in the bladder after urination. 

Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment 

There are two types of stress urinary incontinence treatment: surgical and non-surgical. Not every person who is suffering from stress urinary incontinence needs surgery because some milder cases can be treated with non-surgical approaches. When a person is deciding whether to undergo surgery, here are a few factors to consider:

  • How severe are your symptoms, and how much do they affect your daily routine?
  • If you are planning to have children in the future and give birth vaginally, the SUI could reoccur and demand additional surgery.

Non-surgical options for patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence are:

  • Pelvic floor exercises, also called Kegel exercises, are used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the urethra, rectum, and vagina. This can help with keeping the urine longer in the bladder. 
  • A pessary is a device that is inserted in the vagina to support the neck of the bladder. This device can be removed, and the primary role of a pessary is to support the urethra in reducing urine leakage. 
  • Behavioral modifications include avoidance of activities that lead to leakage of urine.
  • Transurethral bulking agents are collagen injections used to thicken the space around the urethra to control leakage. This is a temporary solution, and it needs to be repeated. 
  • Consumption of foods high in fiber and drinking enough water can help with constipation, which has a very negative effect on SUI.
  • Avoid gaining weight.
  • Stop smoking. 
  • Use bladder training, i.e., setting times when you use the bathroom. 
  • Estrogen gels, creams, patches, or rings are used to strengthen the vaginal muscles. 
  • For men, the recommended non-surgical treatment is the usage of condom catheters.

When it comes to surgical treatments of SUI, they can be done either through the vagina or abdominally. The urethra or the bladder gets supported by stitches or tissues from other body parts such as the abdominal wall, donor tissue, or something called a mash sling (sling procedure), which gets permanently implanted to serve as a support system for the urethra or the bladder. 

Prevention of SUI

Hands Woman Holding Her Crotch,Female Need to Pee,Urinary Incontinence

There are a few steps that can help you lower the chances of developing an SUI, and they include:

  • Avoiding the consumption of cigarettes and tobacco
  • Maintaining a healthy weight 
  • Practicing the Kegel exercises, particularly during pregnancy 
  • Preventing constipation 

Visit Us!

Many patients that come to our clinic have issues with stress urinary incontinence. This is not unusual for our expert staff, and we have managed to help our patients keep this condition under control. Call us to schedule an appointment, and ask any questions that still might be unanswered. Do not be embarrassed or scared; we are here to help you ease your symptoms and treat your diagnosis in the most efficient way. We are here for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out.