Urinary Incontinence in Women

Urinary incontinence — the involuntary leakage of urine — affects millions of women per year. Some women first notice it when they experience a minor leak while coughing or laughing, while others may experience a debilitating sudden onset urge to urinate at the most inconvenient of times. Women may experience stress incontinence, leakage that occurs while laughing, coughing or performing physical activity, and urge incontinence, the sudden urge to urinate. Some women may also experience nocturia, the need to wake up several times throughout the night to urinate. If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, you’re not alone! Learn more about urinary incontinence in women in this guide from Cheap Chux.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence in Women

Bladder problems affect women of all ages, but women over the age of 60 are twice as likely as men to experience urinary incontinence. In fact, one in three women over the age of 60 report having bladder control problems. Childbirth and menopause are two typical triggers of women’s urinary incontinence, but the condition can also stem from issues such as weak bladder muscles and nerve damage.

• Childbirth — Studies suggest that women often experience urinary incontinence more than men due to the weakening of pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy. Those who have been pregnant and given birth often report experiencing stress incontinence.
• Menopause — If you’re going through menopause, you may have noticed that it’s more difficult to control your bladder. That’s because the body stops producing certain hormones and causes the lining of your urethra to thin. Additionally, during menopause, the pelvic floor begins to weaken.
• Aging — As women age, the bladder muscles may lose strength and decrease the ability to store larger capacities of urine.
• Hysterectomy — Having a hysterectomy may cause urinary incontinence because the bladder and uterus are supported by many of the same muscles. Therefore, the removal of the uterus could cause damage to the pelvic floor and cause incontinence.

Additionally, women who have nerve disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Parkinson’s disease, strokes and spinal cord injury often experience incontinence due to the nervous system’s effect on bladder function. In some cases, urinary incontinence may be triggered by an obstruction long the urinary tract, such as urinary stones or a tumor. If you’ve experienced ongoing incontinence, you should see your doctor to rule out any potential obstructions.

The Best Women’s Incontinence Products

Today’s manufacturers of incontinence products make all kinds of comfortable and discreet options for helping you manage urinary incontinence. Whether you’re experiencing small, irregular leaks here and there or have regular accidents, there’s a women’s incontinence product to suit your needs. Those with stress incontinence can benefit from a lower absorbency incontinence pad, while those experiencing more high-capacity leaks should try out a high-absorbency pull-on incontinence underwear. Additionally, you’ll need higher protection at night if you’re experiencing nocturia, so you should choose an overnight incontinence product that will keep you dry throughout the night.