Suffering in Silence? Urinary Incontinence is a Common Yet Treatable Condition

SIOUX FALLS (Dec. 1, 2009) - Are you avoiding holiday parties this season, or dreading that long car ride to be with family? Urinary incontinence may cause you to live in fear that you'll have an accident if you laugh or sneeze in public, or put off stopping at the restroom.

Women who suffer from this condition are not alone. Up to 50% of all women experience some form of urinary incontinence, and the incidence increases with age. What's more, many suffer in silence.

"Many women try to put up with it alone. They think it's just something that happens to women as they get older," said Dr. Matthew Barker, urogynecologist with Avera Urogynecology Specialists in association with Avera Women's.

Urogynecology is a subspecialty that combines issues relating to the female pelvis, including difficulties with urination, defecation or sexual intercourse. "The classic issue that women experience is pelvic organ prolapse," Dr. Barker said. Tissues that are normally supported by the structure of the pelvis become herniated, or fall down into the vagina, including the bladder, uterus or rectum. 

This can lead to symptoms including urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urgency and frequency, fecal incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure or painful intercourse. All are interrelated, because they all involve the muscles, organs and structure of the female pelvis, Dr. Barker said.

Typically, these issues affect women who are post menopausal, but it can happen to younger women, as it is often associated with childbirth. Risk factors include having given birth to two or more children, and obesity.

The most common complaint is urinary incontinence, that may range from leaking a little urine when you laugh or sneeze to being homebound because you fear having an accident in public.

Many women try to cope with it on their own, using 10 or more sanitary pads a day. Some believe it's just a normal part of the aging process, Dr. Barker said.

The problem may be stress incontinence, caused by a poorly supported urethra. When the surrounding tissues can't keep it closed, it leaks urine when the woman laughs, coughs or exercises. A separate but related issue is urge incontinence, when the bladder contracts inappropriately. Women might have an overlap of both types of disorders, Dr. Barker explained.

Treatment for urinary incontinence is a quality of life decision. "No one dies of this disorder - it's all about helping women live to their full potential," Dr. Barker said. "There are ways to help women improve their lifestyle - to feel free to go out with friends, travel, go to church, attend parties, volunteer and live an active life."

Treatment options include minimally invasive same day surgical techniques, medications, biofeedback and physical therapy. It's an advancing field, with more effective treatment than in the past, Dr. Barker said. "With the subspecialty of urogynecology, we've gained a better understanding of these issues, and surgical outcomes have improved."

"It's important that women know there is help. These conditions are treatable," Dr. Barker said. "The old perception that 'this is how I am now, I just have to live with it' should be thrown out the window."

For more information, go to www.AveraUrogyn.org, or call (605) 322-6700 or toll free 866-996-6980.