Stress Urinary Incontinence in Dubai

Home Obstetric & Gynaecology Stress Urinary Incontinence in Dubai

Stress urinary incontinence is involuntary leaking out of urine when your bladder or urethra is under pressure. Mild SUI may cause urine to leak out during activities like exercising, laughing, sneezing, or coughing. And severe SUI may cause urinary leakage when bending over, standing up, or walking.

The amount of urine you pass out due to SUI may range from a few drops to significant enough to drench your clothes. This problem is more common in women than in men.

Symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence

It is pretty easy to know if a person has SUI. The person with this issue experiences urinary leakage while:

  • Sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Coughing
  • Exercising
  • Having sex
  • Standing up
  • Getting out of a car
  • Lifting something heavy

A person may not experience incontinence all the time. It is more likely to happen when they perform an activity that puts pressure on the bladder when it is full.

Causes of Stress Urinary Incontinence

SUI develops due to the weakening of the muscles that regulate the urine passage and support the bladder.

The bladder expands gradually when it continually receives urine from the kidneys. The urethra comprises valve-like muscles that remain closed to prevent this urine from leaking.

But when these muscles become weak, they no longer bear much pressure. As a result, anything that causes pressure on the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles causes the urine to leak out.

The loss of strength of the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles occurs due to the following:

  • Childbirth in women
  • Prostate surgery in men

The following factors may worsen SUI:

  • Obesity
  • Smoking (because it leads to coughing)
  • Any diseases that cause chronic coughing
  • High-impact activities (e.g. running, jumping)

Diagnosis

A urologist will look for all the factors that contribute to SUI during a clinical visit. For this purpose, they may:

  • Check your medical history
  • Perform a physical test, which may comprise a pelvic exam and a rectal exam
  • Take a urine sample to check for infections and other problems
  • Examine pelvic nerves for problems through a neurological exam
  • Perform a urinary stress test

Treatment for Stress Urinary Incontinence

There are different options to cure this condition. The doctor may combine treatments to get particular results. Sometimes, there is another problem that causes SUI. So the doctor will first address that particular problem before treating SUI. The following treatment options are available:

Behavior Therapies

Behavioral therapies train your mind and related muscles that control urinary passage, alleviating stress incontinence symptoms. The most common behavioral therapies include the following:

  • Bladder training
  • Biofeedback to learn to control and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
  • Pelvic floor muscle exercises

Surgery

Various surgical treatments are available to treat stress incontinence. The most popular ones include the following:

  • Sling procedure
  • Vaginal mesh surgery (tape surgery)
  • Retropubic colposuspension
  • Inflatable artificial sphincter
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Is there medication for stress urinary incontinence?

As of now, no specific medications are available to treat SUI. Doctors sometimes prescribe the antidepressant duloxetine to control symptoms. However, the symptoms return when you stop taking this medicine.

Does incontinence go away?

Urinary incontinence doesn’t usually go away on its own. The good news is you can improve it with clinical treatments, therapies, and lifestyle changes. It is imperative to speak to a healthcare provider to explore treatment options.

Is stress incontinence permanent?

Yes, stress incontinence is likely to be a permanent issue. However, certain steps can help alleviate its symptoms. For instance, weight loss will almost always relieve stress incontinence as it reduces pressure on pelvic floor muscles. Moreover, you can perform Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises to strengthen muscles that prevent the involuntary passage of urine.

What is the recovery time for stress incontinence surgery?

It can take 2-6 weeks to recover after surgery to treat stress incontinence. Speak to your doctor regarding when to resume your physical workout and sexual activity.

At what age does stress incontinence start?

Stress incontinence is more common among women above 50, although it can start at any age.

Book an Appointment Now

Euromed Clinic in Dubai offers high-end treatment options to help you eliminate stress urinary incontinence for good. For more information, call us at +971 4 394 5422. To book a consultation online, fill out the form below.

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