Urinary incontinence (UI), or bladder leakage, is the involuntary loss of urine. Urinary incontinence can occur during perimenopause and post menopause when the muscles that keep the urethra closed weaken due to decreasing estrogen. Note that this can happen at other life stages due to lack of exercise resulting in muscle atrophy. Urinary incontinence may also be associated with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
There are several types of urinary incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping or lifting heavy objects. Stress UI can also occur when the pelvic floor is weakened, damaged or as a complication of obesity.
When muscles in the bladder’s wall don’t work properly, there is an urgent need to urinate that cannot be controlled in time to make it to the toilet. Urge UI has multiple potential causes, ranging from diminished estrogen during perimenopause, an infection, diabetes, or as a complication of obesity.
When your bladder doesn’t fully empty when you urinate, you may experience frequent or even constant dribbles of urine. Be sure to give yourself enough time on the toilet to fully clear your bladder each time.
Women may be reluctant to speak up and act on UI issues due to embarrassment and/or negative feelings about aging. However, these conditions can usually be treated at home, or with the help of a trusted medical practitioner.
You can take significant steps to treat incontinence on your own with some straightforward lifestyle changes.
Therapy for UI will vary depending on the type and the severity of the incontinence you are experiencing. It will also depend on risk factors you have, such as obesity, in addition to experiencing the menopausal transition.
It is important to find a reliable, educated primary care provider familiar with recognizing and treating the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. The North American Menopause Society provides a list of menopause practitioners here. A trusting relationship with your healthcare provider will help the potential embarrassment you may feel admitting to UI.
If none of these therapies work for you, there are several surgical techniques that will resolve incontinence. Speak to your healthcare provider to see if any would be applicable to you.
The lining of the outer urethra is estrogen-dependent. During the menopausal transition, this lining thins and may become weaker than the pressure in the bladder. It is this imbalance that leads to involuntary loss of urine.
Urinary incontinence affects women twice as often as men
Effectiveness of Kegels for stress urinary incontinence compared to control treatments
The lining of the outer urethra is estrogen-dependent. During the menopausal transition, this lining thins and may become weaker than the pressure in the bladder. It is this imbalance that leads to involuntary loss of urine.
Read more on the science here
The lining of the outer urethra is estrogen-dependent. During the menopausal transition, this lining thins and may become weaker than the pressure in the bladder. It is this imbalance that leads to involuntary loss of urine.
Check out the science here
Urine leakage can also be caused by damage done to the urethral sphincter during childbirth, as a complication of obesity and as a side-effect of urological surgeries such as a hysterectomy.
YES
Kegel exercises, done routinely, help with stress incontinence in most women. It is helpful to do Kegel contractions when exercising, walking, stretching or during yoga.
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