Do you experience leaks when you work out, jump, sneeze, laugh or lift something heavy? Then it is likely you have stress urinary incontinence: involuntary urine leakage due to physical exertion. Incontinence affects women of all ages, and stress urinary incontinence is the most common form.

Why you get Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is not defined by how much or how often you leak. It is caused by weakened pelvic ligaments and muscles. Usually, when extra pressure is placed on the bladder, the urethra closes with the help of the pelvic floor muscles contracting forward towards its ligaments, preventing urine leakage. With damaged ligaments or weakened pelvic floor muscles, the same pressure on the abdomen can instead push the system into open mode, causing urine to leak.

Various things may contribute to getting stress urinary incontinence. Pregnancy and vaginal delivery are common risk factors, but also being overweight, former gynaecological surgeries, chronic cough and constipation can lead to stress incontinence.

You can lessen the impact

Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem and can feel limiting. It affects everyday life and might make us avoid moving about as we please. But, it doesn’t have to be like that. There are solutions that can help against involuntary urine leakage.