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This is due to stress incontinence and is caused by weakness or damage to the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue, and urethral sphincter, which usually work together to keep your urine inside your bladder during activities that increase the pressure inside of your abdomen.
Common Risk Factors:
- Menopause
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Vaginal deliveries (large babies, multiple births)
- Chronic cough (e.g. COPD)
- Certain medications (e.g. ACE-inhibitors).
- Heavy lifting
- Chronic constipation
- Family history/Genetics
- Vaginal/pelvic surgeries
… And More
Management Options:
- Treating the underlying cause (e.g. localised/vaginal oestrogen).
- Lifestyle changes (e.g. stop smoking, lose weight…etc)
- Guided pelvic health/women’s health physiotherapy is highly recommended alongside all of the above.
- NHS Squeezy app (this app is a good start if you would like to do self-guided pelvic floor exercises).
- Pessaries (structural e.g. ring)
- Surgical options