If incontinence were a country, it would be the third largest country in the world. 400 million women worldwide live with incontinence, and the numbers continue to grow. Yet incontinence is rarely discussed openly. This condition, has a huge impact on the quality of life of women and their families.
In May, we at Mother’s House are once again breaking the silence around incontinence and providing free consultations. We also offer innovative treatment solutions to help ladies manage incontinence so they can lead full and active lives.
As part of the national incontinence campaign initiated by Global Aesthetic, we are focusing our efforts to raise awareness that this condition is treatable as well as support women living with incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Involuntary urine output can be caused or worsened with advancing age, the onset of menopause, obesity, traumatic births and certain co-morbidities.
4 out of 10 women have a problem with involuntary voiding during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Women who give birth naturally are 50% more likely to develop incontinence, most commonly stress incontinence. They should therefore consult their obstetrician about 6 weeks after delivery if they have had a problem with urine output before, during or after pregnancy.
Due to the growing fetus during pregnancy, the uterus also grows, and its larger size can lead to weakness of the pelvic floor muscles, provoking incontinence.
Stress incontinence is associated with the involuntary discharge of urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing or physical exertion. This type of incontinence occurs when the pressure in the abdomen rises suddenly (“stress”), the muscles and tissues around the urethra do not remain properly closed, and this leads to leakage of urine. It can occur during routine daily activities including sports, lifting objects and even sneezing.
Urge incontinence presents with an uncontrollable urge to urinate and an inability to get to the toilet in time. It often manifests itself under the influence of a provoking moment, such as unlocking the door before coming home, going out in the cold, washing hands or the sound of running water. Many people with urge incontinence go to the toilet more often during the day and at night than other people.
Women with symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence are thought to have mixed incontinence, which is another variety of this condition.
Urinary incontinence from overflow occurs most often with pronounced genital prolapse – squeezing from formations and in diabetic polyneuropathy. It represents involuntary urine leakage due to overstretching of the bladder. The cause may be a disturbance in the ability of the bladder to contract and empty, or a mechanical obstruction preventing the path of urine. In this condition, there is a constant imperceptible leakage of urine. In micturition, the stream is intermittent or slow.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder or rectum) become weak or flaccid.
Any lady who exhibits symptoms of incontinence, including if she has symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, will be consulted after an appointment.
You can make an appointment for a free are incontinence consultation every working day from 1:30pm to 3:00pm on 02 917 23 24. Consultations are available from 8.30am to 9.30am.