Are these involuntary urine leaks normal? Find out if you suffer from urinary incontinence

Many women see this as something everyday or because of an innocent oversight, without suspecting that it is the first step of a disease that can drastically change their female health and their lifestyle by not being able to control the sphincters. Don't let this be your situation!

What is urinary incontinence?

It is about loss of bladder control. It is the inability to control urination (the urge to urinate). Or put another way, it is the inability to control the leakage of urine from your vagina at times when you do not plan to, for example, when jumping, running, making an effort or simply having leaks when you can't hold the urge to go to the bathroom to urinate.

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

There are several different types of urinary incontinence and in this article we will stop to talk about stress and urge incontinence:

• Stress incontinence – occurs when stress or pressure on your bladder causes you to leak urine. This can happen when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run, lift something heavy, or do physical activity. Its causes include weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and a bladder that is out of its normal position.

• Urge incontinence : This happens when you have a strong need (urgency) to urinate and some urine leaks before you can get to the bathroom. It is often related to an overactive bladder. Urge incontinence is more common in older people. Sometimes it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other disabling conditions.

What causes bladder control problems in women?

In women, certain life events, health problems, and lifestyles can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, making it difficult for the bladder to hold urine and causing stress urinary incontinence. The main causes are:

• Pregnancy and childbirth (including cesarean sections)
• Obesity
• Menopause
• Aging
• Radiation Treatments, Surgery and Aging
• Trauma or injury, such as sexual assault

The weakening of the pelvic floor occurs when the group of muscles and other tissues that form a kind of sling or hammock through the woman's pelvis, muscles responsible for supporting the uterus, bladder, intestines and other pelvic organs, are weakened or injured. in place, so that they can function properly. If they become weak and can't bear weight, it can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, which happens when the bladder wall bulges into the vaginal space, because the muscles and tissues that support the bladder give way. And in the long run, they can also be the cause of fecal incontinence or bowel control problems.

Who is at risk of having urinary incontinence?

You are at higher risk of developing urinary incontinence if:

• You are a woman . Bingo! , especially after going through a pregnancy, a childbirth or you entered the menopause .
• You are an older adult. As we age, the muscles of the urinary tract weaken, making it difficult to retain urine.
• You are a man with prostate problems.
• You suffer from diabetes, obesity or constipation for a long time.
• you are a smoker

What are the symptoms of bladder control problems?

Signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence may include:

• Leakage of urine during daily activities, such as lifting objects, bending over, coughing, or exercising.
• Feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate right away.
• You have urine leaks without warning or sense of urgency.
• It doesn't give you a chance to get to the bathroom in time.
• You have wet the bed during the night.

How do I know if I have urinary incontinence?

The doctor is the one who has the last word. To do this, it has several diagnostic tools:

• Medical history: Include questions about the symptoms you have had. You may be asked to keep a bladder control journal for a few days before your appointment. This record includes how much and when you drink fluids, when and how much you urinate, and whether you leak urine.
• Physical exam: May include a pelvic and/or rectal exam.
• Blood and/or urine tests
• Bladder function tests
• imaging tests

When should you go to the doctor?

You should see your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• you have urine leaks
• You cannot urinate well or empty your bladder
• You urinate very frequently, eight or more times a day
• You wake up frequently at night to go to the bathroom
• You have pelvic pain or painful urination
• You notice blood in the urine
• You have symptoms of a bladder infection

It is important that you attend the medical consultation, because bladder problems can drastically affect your quality of life and cause other health problems.

Your doctor can help you treat urinary incontinence by suggesting a lifestyle change and prescribing some medications.

These symptoms may indicate a health problem, such as inflammation of the bladder, also known as cystitis.

How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

Your healthcare professional can use many tools to make a diagnosis:

• Medical history: Includes questions about your symptoms. Your provider may ask you to keep a bladder control diary for a few days before your appointment. This record includes how much and when you drink fluids, when and how much you urinate, and if you have any urine leakage.
• Physical exam: May include a rectal exam. Women can also have a pelvic exam
• Blood and/or urine tests
• Bladder function tests
• imaging tests

It's easy to start treatment with the help of your doctor!

Ask your gynecologist if you can strengthen your pelvic muscles from now on by performing a daily routine of Kegel exercises. And to support you in this task, we recommend the #Zenzsual VagiYoga vaginal exerciser, which has been designed to exercise and recover the pelvic floor muscles, by caring for and toning your vagina, performing exercises and training that can be monitored from your mobile phone or in manual mode, based on anthropometric studies and perimeter pressure technology.

On our social networks @TuSaludIntima you will always find more tips and advice on women's health. We invite you to join #TeamZenzsual and we thank you for replicating the information that you consider useful among your friends. Leave us your comments in the comments, as well as on our social networks @TuSaludIntima

FOUNTAIN:

• Dr. Klara Senior @doctoraklarasenior - Founder of Zenzsual
• Dr. Sofía Herrera @tu_ginecologa - Founder of Zenzsual
• niddk.nih.gov
• medlineplus.gov