It’s estimated that about 50% of adult women experience urinary incontinence. However, of those who experience symptoms, just half of them will seek treatment.
It’s important to know that urinary incontinence isn’t just something you have to live with. In fact, there are several nonsurgical treatment options to manage symptoms, many of which you can do at home.
Read on to learn what causes urinary incontinence, how it can be treated and when to see a primary care doctor or women’s health specialist.
The most common causes of incontinence in women
Urinary incontinence (UI) is involuntary loss of bladder control, which is different than frequent urination. It can happen when your bladder muscles are too weak or too active, and UI can be a temporary concern or a chronic issue. There are several causes of urinary incontinence in women, including weakened or overactive bladder and pelvic muscles, pelvic organ prolapse and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
It’s a myth that UI is “just part of aging.” It’s a medical condition that may affect women of any age, though it is more prevalent in older women. Your weight, medications and whether you’ve ever been pregnant can also increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence, along with:
- Alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Excessive fluid intake
- Menopause
- Neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease
Because of body structure, women are twice as likely as men to experience UI. A man’s urinary system will usually stay relatively the same throughout his life, while a woman’s is built to be more flexible. This flexibility enables women to bear children but also leaves the urinary system more susceptible to weakening, even in women who never become pregnant.
How urinary incontinence is treated at home or without surgery
There are many nonsurgical, at-home methods for treating urinary incontinence. From bladder training and pelvic floor exercises to urethral support devices, lifestyle changes and tools can help you manage symptoms.
Do Kegel exercises help strengthen your pelvic floor to improve bladder control
Kegels are a great way to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor, with bonus points for being doable anywhere. They’re a simple contracting and releasing of the muscles you use to stop and start the flow of urine. With this quick exercise, you’ll strengthen muscles that are important for bladder control. Try to complete about 10 sets of 10 contractions per day, and do them only when you don’t need to go.
Reduce your fluid intake to avoid leaks
Water is good for your body, and it’s important to stay hydrated, but overdoing fluid intake can lead to bladder urgency and leaks. The key is maintaining a good balance. Drink water when thirsty, but not more than your body asks for. And keep an eye on the color of your urine. If it’s clear, you could probably cut back on fluid intake, but dark urine is a sign that you need more fluids.
Increase exercise levels to help you avoid physical strain
Even though physical strain can trigger bladder leakage, it’s still important to remain active. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise may reduce UI symptoms.
If concerns about incontinence are preventing you from participating in physical activities at the gym or another public place, find a more private space, like your living room, where you can feel comfortable exercising – at least until you feel confident enough to get out there again.
Tailor your diet around foods and liquids that don’t trigger symptoms
Caffeine, alcohol and other bladder irritants can be major triggers for UI. If you want to improve your symptoms, save the lattes and wine for special occasions and use extra precaution indulging in them.
Also be careful with food and drinks that are spicy or acidic. They can irritate your bladder, prompting contractions that can lead to leaks. As a general rule, take note of any foods and drinks that make your symptoms worse, and try to keep a nutritious, balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Create a regular schedule to train your bladder
Having a regular bathroom schedule can help teach your bladder to recognize when it’s time to go, reducing the number of leaks. It can also help slowly train your bladder to increase the amount of time between trips.
Use precautionary products to help manage leaks
Precautionary products can protect yourself in high-risk situations, such as during physical activity or when you have limited bathroom access. The most common precautionary products are disposable pads, liners and underwear designed to act as an absorbent barrier between you and your clothes.
Consider specialized physical therapy that can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a type of specialized physical therapy that strengthens the muscles that support your bladder and bowels. This can be very effective in treating urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.
During pelvic floor therapy, a physical therapist may lead you through exercises that target your pelvic floor, use mild electrical stimulation to help you have more awareness of your pelvic floor muscles and use other specialized techniques.
Depending on your insurance or the health care provider you use, you may need a referral or doctor’s note to start pelvic floor physical therapy. We do not require a referral and you can schedule an appointment online at any time.
Use a urethral support device (pessary)
Your doctor may recommend fitting you with a device worn in the vagina to help prevent bladder leakage during activity. An over-the-counter device called Impressa is also available.
Medication can help with urinary incontinence
Medications for urinary incontinence are specifically designed to treat urge incontinence. These medicines help prevent leaks by reducing the spasms in your bladder muscles that may cause them.
Surgical treatments for urinary incontinence and when they might be recommended
Depending on what type of incontinence you have and its severity, a provider may recommend surgical treatment. For instance, stress incontinence, which is caused by physical stress on the abdomen or bladder, can be treated with bladder control surgery. This procedure gives more support to the urethra, which helps you control when it’s time to go.
There are also procedures available to treat urge incontinence, which is when constant bladder contractions cause a strong, persistent urge to urinate. Your doctor will help you decide if a procedure or surgery is the best option for you and will walk you through how it works, as well as answer any questions you may have.
When to see a doctor for urinary incontinence
In most cases, UI can be treated without surgery. If left untreated, UI can lead to sleep loss, depression, anxiety and loss of interest in sex. It might be a good idea to see your doctor if your condition is causing you to:
- Frequently urinate (8 or more times per day)
- Feel tired from incontinence-related sleep loss
- Feel socially anxious about your urinary incontinence
- No longer participate in activities that bring you joy
- Miss out on big moments or lose productivity