Believe it or not, one of the most common questions I have been asked lately through social media (i.e., Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) is about Urinary Incontinence. So, I knew it was time to make a full blog post all about it. You guys know I like to make things clear and easy to understand, so let’s jump right in…
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence simply means “leaking urine”. It can range from leaking just a few drops of urine during activities like coughing/laughing/sneezing, or it could be a complete emptying of the bladder. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, incontinence is a common problem and there are many treatment options available!
There are different types of urinary incontinence, but today we’re going to focus on Stress Urinary Incontinence which can oftentimes be seen after pregnancy or after having multiple babies!
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is when you leak urine by coughing, laughing, sneezing, or maybe when you exercise (run, jump, walk, etc.). This is typically due to pelvic floor disorders or a weakening of the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor.
Pelvic Floor & Urinary Incontinence
We know that pregnancy can cause pelvic floor disorders and can cause our pelvic floor muscles to become weak. This is why seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist is so important! Especially after having a baby, whether it was a c-section or vaginal delivery, the weight of the growing uterus and baby for 40 weeks leads to our muscles becoming weaker over time! These weaker muscles can then lead to things like pelvic organ prolapse, which can further worsen the incontinence. If you want more details on that, here’s my full YouTube video on it:
Incontinence Diagnosis & How to Treat It
In order for us to diagnose incontinence, you need a full evaluation by your OBGYN. Then we can start talking about treatment. Typically, the first line is going to be pelvic floor physical therapy. Personally, I’m a huge fan of this! Sometimes just seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist and making some lifestyle changes is all you need. In cases where the incontinence is more severe or bothersome, there are medications or procedures that can be done to help. It’s always important to speak openly and honestly with your provider; that way, we know how to better help you!
I hope you all found this breakdown helpful. As always, leave any further questions or feedback down below!
