Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence describes the leakage of urine during physical activity that increases abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise.

Causes

• Weakening pelvic tissues and muscles supporting the bladder and urethra allow where the bladder and urethra intersect to descend during physical activity.
• A weakening of the sphincter muscle that controls the urethra could allow urine to escape the bladder.
• Weakness may occur from pregnancy, childbirth, aging or prior pelvic surgery.
• Other risk factors include chronic coughing or straining, obesity and smoking.

Diagnosis

A simple physical exam can diagnose this issue.

Treatment

• Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, promoting the ability to hold urine in the bladder longer
• Avoiding activities that trigger episodes of leaking
• Urethral bulking
  • A doctor injects a thick, permanent gel (Bulkamid) into the body to add volume to the wall of the urethra to provide support of the urethra and better control of urine flow.