Urinary incontinence is hard to talk about! Diversified treatments, early detection is the best option

The survey found that about half of adult women in the country may experience urinary incontinence, but only a small number of patients seek diagnosis and treatment. Doctors point out that the incidence of urinary incontinence in women is twice that of men. The incidence rate is higher with age, so female friends should not take it lightly.

Dr. Bai Yiwei from the Department of Urology at Taiwan Adventist Hospital pointed out that when the pelvic floor muscles are too weak to support the bladder, it is particularly easy to develop stress urinary incontinence, which means that urine leaks out when coughing, sneezing or exercising. Childbirth is one of the common causes of weak pelvic muscles; obesity can make the situation worse.

Urinary incontinence affects quality of life

On the other hand, urge incontinence, which means leaking urine when you can't hold it in when you have to urinate urgently, is not really caused, but may be caused by a disorder of the nervous system. Some women may have both types of incontinence or even bladder problems due to a urinary tract infection.

A recent article published in the medical journal JAMA pointed out that only 1/4 of patients seek help, and less than 1/2 of them receive treatment. The most important factor is that patients worry about embarrassment, especially Oriental women, who are more likely to mistake forbearance for a virtue. But these symptoms often interfere with daily life: no more walking or running, no longer wanting to go out, even avoiding intimate relationships.

Find a professional and choose personalized treatment

Dr. Bai Yiwei emphasized that the treatment of urinary incontinence is actually very diverse. When you encounter problems with your body, the best way is to be honest with it. Because if not treated in time, it will not only interfere with daily activities but also lead to a decline in the quality of life. In fact, the earlier the treatment of urinary incontinence is started, the easier the treatment will be and the more likely it will be successful.

There are many treatments for urinary incontinence: lifestyle adjustments, pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, medication, laser therapy, botulinum toxin injections, and even surgery. Behavioral therapy includes avoiding caffeine, controlling water drinking habits, and developing regular urination. You can also focus your exercise habits on your pelvic floor muscles. Both types of urinary incontinence can be improved with behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation.

In addition, when behavioral therapy and pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation are not enough to relieve urge incontinence symptoms, medication or botulinum toxin injections are further options. In cases of stress incontinence, surgery using a mesh sling to support the bladder or urethra can treat urine leakage. However, surgery carries certain risks and is not suitable for all women. Therefore, for mild patients, vaginal pessary or vaginal laser therapy can also be helpful.

Because patients are easily embarrassed, doctors may need to proactively mention it and initiate a discussion. As long as patients are willing to discuss patiently with professional doctors, they can easily find the personalized treatment that best suits them.