16 May 2019 Author : Carlos Guimarães This is a common, often embarrassing problem of varying severity: In some cases, it is not possible to contain urine under pressure, such as coughing or sneezing; In others, the urge to urinate is so sudden and strong that you do not have time to get to the toilet. Urinary incontinence in women Urinary incontinence in women is a public health problem that markedly affects quality of life and has a relevant biological and psychosocial impact. It is a misunderstood , sometimes undervalued condition . The scientific communities are raising awareness of the condition by informing the public. Risk Factors for urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence is not a result of ageing , although this is an important risk factor. Obesity is also associated with urinary incontinence and weight loss sometimes reduces its severity. Pregnancy and multiple births are also risk factors for urinary incontinence. Types of treatment Nowadays, women naturally seek medical care to resolve their incontinence. Medications and other techniques make it possible to improve almost all conditions and, in most cases, resolve them. Surgery to correct urinary incontinence is simple and effective, widely performed by urologists with excellent results. However, because of its wide dissemination and simplicity, surgery may be associated with a risk of extending indications beyond acceptable limits. Stress incontinence A good surgical result is only achieved if it is preceded by a good indication. Surgery only treats one type of incontinence - stress incontinence . Stress urinary incontinence is when women have involuntary losses with: Physical exertion; A simple act of coughing, sneezing or laughing. Synthetic prostheses are currently an important option, but are not the future. This will involve tissue engineering and the solutions it can provide. Urge incontinence Another very common type of incontinence is urge incontinence, in which a strong urge to urinate leads to uncontrolled urine loss . In these cases, medication is used in treatment. In spite of the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts, the results are still unsatisfactory. In short... It is important to know that female urinary incontinence is a problem that can be solved in most cases . Do not ignore it or postpone seeing a doctor. A urologist will know how to advise you and find the best solution for your case. Meet the urology team from Hosital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
