What is Female Urinary Incontinence?
Female urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine in women, often resulting from weakened pelvic floor muscles, hormonal changes, or certain medical conditions. It can occur during activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising, and may also be triggered by a sudden, strong urge to urinate. This condition can vary in severity and significantly affect daily life, but it is manageable with treatments and lifestyle adjustments.
CAUSES
The most common causes of urinary incontinence in women include childbirth-related complications and menopause. Half of the women who struggle with this condition do not seek treatment, but the condition negatively impacts their quality of life.
RISK FACTORS
Risk factors for female urinary incontinence include aging, as muscle tone naturally decreases over time, and childbirth, which can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Being overweight increases pressure on the bladder, leading to incontinence. Hormonal changes during menopause can also affect bladder control. Chronic conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking, can further increase the risk.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptom of urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. This can range from occasional minor leaks when coughing or laughing (stress incontinence) to a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence). Mixed incontinence, which involves symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence, is also common.
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