It happens to about 1/3 of women; leaking when laughing, coughing, sneezing, and physical activities. It's an embarrassing topic, but it can affect everyday life. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the most common type of urine leak. Leakage can be a few drops or enough to soak through your clothes.
To know if SUI is a problem for you, ask yourself:
- Is SUI stopping me from doing things outside of my home?
- Am I afraid to be too far from a bathroom or a change of clothes?
- Have I stopped exercising or playing sports?
- Have I changed the way I live because I'm afraid of urine leakage?
- Have I become uncomfortable with myself?
According to the Urology Care Foundation, SUI is more common among older women. But it is not caused simply by aging or being female. It happens in younger women and some men. Risk factors for SUI include:
- Gender: females are more likely to get SUI
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Nerve injuries to the lower back
- Pelvic or prostate surgery
- Smoking
- Chronic coughing
The goal of any treatment for incontinence is to improve your quality of life. Treatments usually work especially when combined with lifestyle changes. Patients can schedule an appointment with the Urology Clinic by calling 605-882-6810. More information on our Urologists.