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About Urinary Stress Incontinence (USI)

Overview

What is Urinary Stress Incontinence

  • Involuntary leakage of a variable quantity of urine caused by a pressure on the bladder, for example while coughing, sneezing, laughing, or even jumping, dancing or walking.
  • Accounts for over 50% of all types of urinary incontinence
  • Is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women under 55
  • Affects 1 of 5 women due to pregnancy and childbirth
  • Due primarily to pelvic floor weakening

Stigma of Incontinence

  • Feeling of shame and embarrassment
  • Patients often reluctant to discuss the issue
  • Under-reporting of UI symptoms highly prevalent
  • UI underestimated, not clearly understood
  • Variation in knowledge and comfort level among healthcare professionals

Negative Impact of Urinary Incontinence

  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Social
  • Overall quality of life

Contributing Factors of Urinary Stress Incontinence

  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Menopause and aging
  • Medical, surgical issues

Aggravating Factors of Urinary Stress Incontinence

  • Inactivity
  • Weight gain
  • Smoking
  • Chronic constipation or coughing

Treatments

  • Conservative: pelvic floor reeducation exercises (vaginal cones, Kegel exercises)
  • Pharmacological (medications)
  • Surgical

More Information on Urinary Stress Incontinence:

The information contained on this website is intended
for a Canadian audience only.

 

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