Urinary Stress Incontinence (USI)

What is Urinary Stress Incontinence?

Urinary stress incontinence - also called stress incontinence – is generally described as the unexpected leakage of a variable quantity of urine caused by a sudden pressure on the bladder, for example when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or even jumping, dancing or walking.

Who is Affected by Urinary Stress Incontinence?

Urinary Stress Incontinence:

• Accounts for more than 50% of all types of urinary incontinence
• Is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women under 55
• Affects 1 in 3 women in her life
• Is due primarily to a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. It is the group of muscles, ligaments and tissues that control the functioning of the bladder.

Stigma of Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is not only about physical symptoms: it has a negative impact on a person's quality of life. It may cause a woman to feel some shame and embarrassment. Therefore, she is reluctant to discuss her problem and chooses to cope with her symptoms as best as she can, even if it means avoiding some physical, sporting or social activities where she could put herself in an embarrassing situation.

Women generally underestimate their bladder problems, especially when the symptoms start with occasional unexpected urine leakage with no immediate consequences. Most of them do not clearly understand what causes this problem and think that it comes with ageing, or after one or several pregnancies, or with menopause, and that there is no treatment for that.

There is also variation in the knowledge and comfort level among healthcare professionals regarding feminine incontinence. Therefore, if a woman experiencing stress incontinence does not discuss her issues during a visit to her doctor, he or she may not think of asking questions regarding bladder problems. This taboo needs to be broken so that women can be advised on the type of treatment that best suits them.

Contributing Factors of Urinary Stress Incontinence

Throughout a woman's life, the following factors may contribute to the outbreak of urinary stress incontinence symptoms, as they are generally associated with a loss of muscular tone of the pelvic floor:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Hormonal changes and menopause
• Medical, surgical issues

Some lifestyle habits, such as inactivity, weight gain, or smoking, may aggravate stress incontinence symptoms. Chronic constipation or coughing are also aggravating factors.

Treatment of Urinary Stress Incontinence

There are several treatment approaches for stress incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle reeducation (vaginal cone system, Kegel exercises) is the most natural and most recommended before considering medication or surgery.

More Information on Feminine Incontinence

• Printable detailed information sheet on Urinary Stress Incontinence
• Self-Questionnaire on Urinary Incontinence
• Series of video presentations on Urinary Incontinence in women
• Video presentation on LadySystem vaginal cones

Last Update: June 22, 2011