Urinary incontinence is a common issue that impacts women across the globe. In fact, approximately 45%-50% of them have stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at least weekly. This debilitating condition makes a woman prone to involuntary urine leakage while running, jumping, coughing or sneezing. Despite the widespread stigma and misconception surrounding it, idealizing the aging process many people think that SUI is just a natural consequence of getting older. It isn’t a typical part of getting older, and there are proven treatments that work. As an eye-opening fact, for every one case of incontinence seen by primary care physicians, 20 patients go unidentified. This continues to deprive millions of women access to these mostly available remedies.
Dr. Arnold Kegel, a professor of gynecology, first brought attention to the benefits of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in reducing SUI. His groundbreaking research laid the foundation for one of the most effective and recommended exercise routines. We created this routine exclusively for women that are experiencing or have experienced this condition. Though PFMT can significantly reduce laxity and symptoms, practitioners still struggle with how often PFMT is needed or how effective it truly is.
The Underreporting of Incontinence
Even after making it this far, stigma and embarrassment continue to dissuade women from seeking treatment. Although SUI is one of the most prevalent adverse events in PI, most cases remain under-detected. This problem is further exacerbated by societal attitudes that tend to belittle women’s health issues. This is in part because many women are embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about their symptoms, causing them to wait longer as they seek help.
“I can’t even do one thing without peeing any more.” – Anonymous
This reaction is representative of the anguish that many women suffering from SUI feel. The worry of being judged and the absence of candid discussion on these topics all add to the culture of silence surrounding urinary incontinence. This lack of awareness has led countless women to put up with their pain, often in silence, without realization of the diverse treatment options they can pursue.
Furthermore, stigma and discrimination against women and their health can be a major barrier. An anonymous guest author calls attention to a gender disparity in treatment of men’s health issues. This discrepancy is glaring compared to the treatment of women’s health concerns.
“When men have a quality-of-life issue, we try to fix it. (Hello, Viagra.) When women have a problem, we tell them they wouldn’t if they’d just been a bit better and tried a bit harder, and also, to just deal.” – Anonymous
This point of view underscores the need for increased awareness of urinary incontinence. It’s a real and growing health threat that we can’t ignore or overlook any longer.
Treatment Options Available
If you’re looking for answers, there are multiple proven treatments available for SUI. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), better known as Kegel exercises, is another treatment option. Research has shown that taking just 45 minutes to do PFMT every day can make a measurable difference in symptom improvement. Healthcare providers remain unsure about the optimal frequency of these exercises as well. They’re not sure how effective these exercises will be beyond the initial pilot.
Surgical interventions are available that can provide further hope for women suffering from SUI. Her gold-standard surgery, which re-creates a supportive sling under the urethra, can bring relief for decades. Other studies demonstrate that less than 2.5% of women ever require a replacement at ten years. In addition, less than one in five women need follow-up procedures after 15 years.
Advancements in surgical techniques have opened the door to less invasive and therefore more accessible treatment. Since their introduction in 1996, sling operations with synthetic mesh have revolutionized surgical care. Patients might expect to get their procedure with no abdominal incision and no overnight hospital stay. Advancements in these minimally invasive procedures have greatly increased patient comfort and recovery time.
Innovative Solutions on the Horizon
Alongside advanced surgical options, there are other emerging treatments that provide even more hope for women suffering from SUI. One such procedure is Bulkamid injections, a procedure proven to completely cure urinary incontinence. It is a quick, safe and minimally invasive treatment option. It’s highly cost-effective, providing women with a lifesaving option that’s less costly than more invasive surgical procedures.
The Poise Impressa is a new, innovative option. This tampon-like device is made to be inserted into the vagina, where it comfortably supports the urethra. This product provides women with a non-surgical alternative who are seeking rapid, on-demand relief from SUI symptoms.
As medical advancements continue to rapidly change, outreach and education about these treatment options is key. Recent decades have seen some remarkable innovations, some of which can last up to 96 months. Even today, millions of women lack awareness about their contraceptive options. Advocacy and education work are the lifeblood of our movements. They remind women to trust their instincts, stand up for their concerns and get the treatment that’s right for them.