Understanding Urge Incontinence in Women
Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), is a common condition that affects many women. It is characterized by a sudden, urgent need to urinate, often leading to involuntary leakage of urine before reaching the loo. Any form of incontinence can have a big impact on the quality of life, causing embarrassment and limiting daily activities.
Causes of Urge Incontinence
The exact cause of urge incontinence is often unknown, but several factors can contribute to its development. These include:
- Overactive Bladder (OAB): The bladder muscles (detrusor) contract more often than usual, causing a sudden urge to urinate.
- Bladder Irritants: Consuming caffeine, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners can irritate the bladder and increase symptoms.
- Infections: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause temporary urge incontinence.
- Constipation: Severe constipation can put pressure on the bladder, leading to symptoms.
- Neurological Conditions: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease can affect the nerves controlling the bladder.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of urge incontinence is the sudden, intense urge to urinate. This can occur multiple times during the day and night, disrupting sleep and daily activities. One typical scenario I hear a lot is getting to the front door and suddenly REALLY needing the loo – it is called the ‘Key in the door’ syndrome! Or when the tap is running it can make you want to go to the loo unexpectantly.
Other symptoms may include:
- Frequent Urination: Needing to urinate more often than usual.
- Urgency: Feeling a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate.
- Leakage: Involuntary leakage of urine before reaching the toilet.
- Nocturia: Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate.
Treatment Options
Managing urge incontinence often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, and medical treatments. Some common approaches include:
- Women’s Health Physios talk about the need to take back control of the bladder and NOT rushing to the loo. When you suddenly really feel the need to go STOP, do a few quick squeezes of the pelvic floor muscles and then do a couple of the Slow, deep breaths. Importantly WALK, don’t run to the loo. It may take time, but try it and give it a few weeks to see if it helps a bit.
- Distraction Technique – it doesn’t work for everyone, but it is another tool offered by the WHP. Again, do a few squeezes of the pelvic floor, then you need to think of something else to take the mind off the bladder. Try counting down from 101 to 0 in your worst times table, or go through the alphabet thinking of an animal or country.
- Lifestyle Changes: Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, managing fluid consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate symptoms.
- Kegels (Pelvic Floor Muscle Training) or lateral breathwork or hypopressives: Strengthening or relaxing the pelvic floor muscles can improve
- Bladder Training: Techniques such as scheduled voiding and delayed urination can help train the bladder to hold urine longer. WHP teach the Mississippi’s – as soon as you start to urinate, start counting 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi etc Ideally you want to get to between 7 to 12 or 13. Too less – you really don’t need to go to the loo, too many – you should have gone sooner!
- Medications: If all else fails you can see your GP who can suggest medication to help relax the bladder muscles and reduce urgency.
- Nerve Stimulation: Electrical stimulation of the nerves controlling the bladder can help reduce symptoms.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgical interventions may be considered to improve bladder function.
Get in touch with me if you want advice on any form of incontinence.
