Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It’s a common problem thought to affect millions of people.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Seek help sooner rather than later because mild symptoms can unfortunately worsen over time.
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. It is a common condition but not commonly spoken about. It affects 1 in 3 women who have had a baby and approximately 10% of women who never had a baby. However, it is important to note that no amount of urinary leakage is normal, and it is advisable to seek help sooner rather than later as mild symptoms can unfortunately worsen over time. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy enables women to improve if not cure their incontinence, regardless of age or severity of their symptoms.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine with effort or physical exertion (e.g. running, jumping), or on sneezing or coughing
Urge Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine associated with urgency in the absence of a urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology. This is usually associated with frequency and nocturia (voiding at night).
Postural Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine due to a change of body position, e.g. moving from sitting to standing or lying position.
Mixed Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine due to a change of body position, e.g. moving from sitting to standing or lying position.
Continuous Urinary Incontinence
Continuous involuntary loss of urine
Insensible Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence without an awareness of how it occurred.
Coital Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine with sexual intercourse either with penetration or during orgasm.
Nocturnal Enuresis
Involuntary urinary loss of urine during the person’s sleep.
TREATMENT
Due to the diverse nature of incontinence, there is no one cure all treatment. It is essential that the reasons why leakage is occurring is clarified through assessment and evaluation. This information will then set your appropriate course of treatment. Research has proven that pelvic floor physiotherapy is the 1st line management for incontinence as recommended by international medical guidelines.
At Anatomy Physiotherapy, we take this knowledge and the results of a thorough assessment to set individualised goals for our patients to regain confidence in their bodies abilities.