Stress incontinence causes the involuntary leakage of urine, which has a real impact on everyday life. Although the causes are different in men and women, this incontinence is most often treated with perineal rehabilitation.
Definition: What is stress incontinence?
In general, “we call stress incontinence leakage of urine without an accompanying need (therefore, without the urge to urinate, editor’s note). Mostly these leaks concern women from 40 to 60 years old” indicates Professor Xavier Deffieux, gynecologist-obstetrician, pelvic-perineologist, gynecologist. Coughing, laughing, walking quickly, lifting a bag, running or any activity that requires increased pressure on the abdomen can cause these leaks involuntary. It is often either violent efforts (sport), or moderate effort. “We can also see the emergence of this stress incontinence young athletes very high level“, specifies the expert.
Stress incontinence represents a real impact on everyday life. “It is manifested by the leakage of urine, which will prevent the practice of certain activities and cause everyday discomfort because require wearing urinary protection.“In addition, leakage can cause they smell and interfere with sexuality. We have to insist on the quality of protection to avoid irritation and get maximum comfort,”there is a real science of little-known urinary protection, so night diapers are different from, for example, day diapers, not all protections offer the same level of absorption“insists Prof.
What are the causes of stress incontinence in women?
The reasons are multiple: “it could be quality of basic fabrics at birth, changes associated with pregnancy, from age,obesity or even work anomalies muscle coordination…“. For example, during pregnancy, 40% of women experience urinary leakage during exercise in the third trimester, adds the obstetrician-gynecologist.
What are the causes of stress incontinence in men?
In men, the causes are different: This incontinence occurs after surgery prostate. “Patients then suffer from insufficiency or lack of sphincter muscles after considerable effort.” This type of incontinence is common in the three months following prostate surgery.
Stress incontinence is still a taboo subject, although information campaigns on this topic are increasingly carried out, and general practitioners are raising awareness of this disorder and encouraging patients to talk about it. The diagnosis is based on an interview using a questionnaire standardized questions of ten questions in order to determine the problem with additional examinations and eliminate other pathologies, such as urinary leakage. “We will also make them cough and see what the cough produces“The basic treatments, the specialist explains, are worrying there perineal rehabilitation learn how to put it back together, either with a physiotherapist or with a midwife specialized in this type of rehabilitation.
“In general, an initial period of about ten sessions is required. If the leaks improve, then we can prescribe again from 10 to 20 appointments.” Moreover, it is interesting to point out that during pregnancy women can also do perineal rehabilitation with exercises contraction muscles. In any case, we are not asking people to stop exercising. “There are also devices called pessaries that are placed inside vagina, which prevent leakage of urine during exercise.” And for those who don’t want to meet professionals, they have the option self-rehabilitate using different tools, by downloading mobile applications re-educate perineum thanks to tips or exercise sheets or by purchase vaginal probe devices with electrostimulation and working biofeedback.
In the case of obesity, the answer is yes to lose weight, the support is therefore more global. “As a last resort, if other treatments are ineffective, surgery may be required by giving injections aroundurethra. We have a surgical range adapted to each patient“, concludes the expert.
Thanks to Professor Xavier Deffieux, Secretary General of SIFUD-PP, gynecologist-obstetrician, pelvic perineologist, gynecologist at the University of Paris-Saclay, Hospital Antoine Béclère de Clamart (APHP).
