Uncontrolled urination. Urinary incontinence in women - causes, diagnosis, treatment methods

The process caused by malfunctions in the urinary system, and more specifically the inability to control bowel movements, is called involuntary urination. The symptom is characteristic of many diseases and can occur in any person of any age category, but is often diagnosed in women in old age.

Varieties

Spontaneous excretion of urine is divided into the following types:

Urgent type of urine output. Provoked by strong contractions of the muscles of the bladder. Urgent urination is characterized by the fact that the patient suddenly has an urge to urinate.
Night. Uncontrolled excretion of urine occurs at night.
Stressful. It is characterized by a malfunction in the functioning of the sphincter of the bladder, due to which urine is released during laughter and sneezing.
Mixed. It is characterized by the presence of several of the above types at once. The patient may have urinary incontinence at night and when coughing.

Causes of spontaneous urination

Experts identify a number of factors due to which involuntary excretion of urine occurs in women and men:

infections of the genitourinary system;
intoxication of the organs of the genitourinary system, for example, due to the abuse of alcoholic beverages;
surgery in the pelvic area;
diseases of a neurological nature;
the use of sedative drugs;
nervous tension.

Involuntary excretion of urine in men

In males, spontaneous excretion of urine is diagnosed much less frequently than in females. This is due to the gender difference in the structure of the urinary system. Often, involuntary excretion of urine in men appears for the following reasons:

prostate tumors;
prostate adenoma;
prostate surgery;
stressful situations;
neurological diseases;
infections in the urethra;
brain injury;
the use of certain medications.

A prostate tumor can cause spontaneous urination in men.

Imperative urge to urinate brings with it a number of inconveniences. Urine can be involuntarily excreted even when laughing, sneezing or coughing. However, men do not pay due attention to these symptoms and rarely seek help from a doctor, hoping that the problem will resolve itself. This is a serious misconception, as it is important to quickly diagnose the origin of spontaneous urination and determine the treatment regimen in order to avoid the development of complications.

Involuntary excretion of urine in women

Involuntary excretion of urine in women is observed quite often. The etiological reasons for the appearance of this condition include:

Climax. At this time, the production of estrogen in the body decreases, which adversely affects the organs, in particular, and the genitourinary system.
Advanced age. In older women, the muscle tone of the urinary cavity is weakened, so that complete retention of urine is not possible. Urine can be excreted even during laughter or coughing.
Pregnancy with multiple fetuses.
Surgical intervention in the pelvic organs.
Injury to the pelvic organs.
Uterus removal.
Obesity.
Childbirth (during which complications were observed).
Injury to the brain and spinal cord.
Frequent lifting of heavy objects.
Diabetes.
Chronic inflammation of the bladder.
Persistent cough.
Diseases of the central nervous system.

Urinary incontinence treatment

After the examination, the doctor prescribes treatment to eliminate the pathology.

Treatment of involuntary urination is prescribed based on the cause that caused the pathology. Drug therapy is often effective. After the specialist conducts a survey, prescribes the necessary examination and makes a diagnosis, the patient is prescribed adrenomimetics, which increase the muscle tone of the bladder sphincter. The most common medicines are Spasmex, Vezikar and Detruzitol. There are also cases when medication treatment turned out to be ineffective, then doctors prescribe surgical interventions.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional healers recommend treating involuntary urination with various medicinal herbs. There are many recipes for involuntary urination, the most popular of which is dill tincture. To prepare it, you need to crush a spoonful of dried dill in a mortar and pour it into a thermos. Then add a glass of boiling water and infuse the liquid for 2 hours. Apply the resulting tincture should be on an empty stomach at bedtime for 14 days.

Common in the treatment of involuntary urination and sage. To prepare an infusion, take 3 tablespoons of sage from it, pour them into a liter of water and boil for 5 minutes. After that, insist the liquid for 2 hours and strain through a sieve or gauze. The resulting infusion should be taken several times a day. You can also make tea from sage, for this you need to add 50 grams of the plant to a liter of hot water, pour into a thermos and leave for 2 hours. Tea should be taken 3 times a day before eating.

This is a violation of urination, accompanied by the impossibility of arbitrary regulation of bladder emptying. Depending on the form, it is manifested by uncontrolled leakage of urine during exertion or at rest, sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate, unconscious urinary incontinence. As part of the diagnosis of urinary incontinence in women, a gynecological examination, ultrasound of the genitourinary system, urodynamic studies, functional tests, and urethrocystoscopy are performed. Methods of conservative therapy may include special exercises, pharmacotherapy, electrical stimulation. In case of inefficiency, sling and other operations are performed.

The direct producing factor of stress incontinence is any tension that leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure: coughing, sneezing, brisk walking, running, sudden movements, heavy lifting and other physical effort. The prerequisites for the occurrence of urgent urges are the same as with stress incontinence, and various external stimuli (sharp sound, bright light, water pouring from a tap) can act as provoking factors.

Reflex incontinence can develop as a result of damage to the brain and spinal cord (trauma, tumors, encephalitis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.). Iatrogenic incontinence occurs as a side effect of certain drugs (diuretics, sedatives, blockers, antidepressants, colchicine, etc.) and disappears after the abolition of these drugs.

Pathogenesis

The mechanism of occurrence of stress urinary incontinence in women is associated with insufficiency of the urethral or vesical sphincters and / or weakness of the pelvic floor structures. An important role in the regulation of urination is given to the state of the sphincter apparatus - with changes in architectonics (the ratio of muscle and connective tissue components), the contractility and extensibility of the sphincters are disturbed, as a result of which the latter become unable to regulate urine output.

Normally, the continence (retention) of urine is provided by a positive urethral pressure gradient (i.e., the pressure in the urethra is higher than in the bladder). Involuntary excretion of urine occurs if this gradient changes to negative. An indispensable condition for voluntary urination is a stable anatomical position of the pelvic organs relative to each other. With the weakening of the myofascial and ligamentous apparatus, the support-fixation function of the pelvic floor is disturbed, which may be accompanied by prolapse of the bladder and urethra.

The pathogenesis of urge urinary incontinence is associated with impaired neuromuscular transmission in the detrusor, leading to overactive bladder. In this case, with the accumulation of even a small amount of urine, there is a strong, unbearable urge to urinate.

Classification

According to the place of urine excretion, transurethral (true) and extraurethral (false) incontinence are distinguished. In the true form, urine is excreted through the intact urethra; with false - from abnormally located or damaged urinary tract (from ectopically located ureters, exstrophy bladder, urinary fistulas). In the following, we will deal exclusively with cases of true incontinence. In women, the following types of transurethral urinary incontinence occur:

stressful- involuntary excretion of urine associated with the failure of the urethral sphincter or weakness of the muscles of the pelvic floor.
imperative(urgent, overactive bladder) - unbearable, uncontrollable urges due to increased reactivity of the bladder.
mixed- combining signs of stress and imperative incontinence (a sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate occurs during physical exertion, followed by uncontrolled urination.
Reflex incontinence(neurogenic bladder) - spontaneous excretion of urine due to a violation of the innervation of the bladder.
iatrogenic- caused by the intake of certain drugs.
Other (situational) forms- enuresis, urinary incontinence from overflow of the bladder (paradoxical ischuria), during sexual intercourse.

The first three types of pathology occur in most cases, all the rest account for no more than 5-10%. Stress incontinence is classified according to degrees: with a mild degree, urinary incontinence occurs with physical effort, sneezing, coughing; with an average - during a sharp rise, running; in severe - while walking or at rest. Sometimes in urogynecology a classification is used based on the number of sanitary pads used: I degree - no more than one per day; II degree - 2–4; III degree - more than 4 pads per day.

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

In the stress form of the disease, involuntary, without a preliminary urge to urinate, urine leakage, which occurs with any physical exertion, begins to be noticed. As the pathology progresses, the amount of urine lost increases (from a few drops to almost the entire volume of the bladder), and exercise tolerance decreases.

Urge incontinence can be accompanied by a number of other symptoms characteristic of an overactive bladder: pollakiuria (increased urination more than 8 times a day), nocturia, imperative urge. If incontinence is combined with bladder prolapse, there may be discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, a feeling of incomplete emptying, sensation of a foreign body in the vagina, dyspareunia.

Complications

Faced with uncontrolled leakage of urine, a woman experiences not only hygienic problems, but also serious psychological discomfort. The patient is forced to give up her usual way of life, limit her physical activity, avoid appearance in public places and in company, refuse sex.

Constant leakage of urine is fraught with the development of dermatitis in the inguinal region, recurrent genitourinary infections (vulvovaginitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis), as well as neuropsychiatric disorders - neurosis and depression. However, due to shame or a false idea of urinary incontinence as an "inevitable companion of age", women rarely seek medical help with this problem, preferring to put up with obvious inconveniences.

Diagnostics

A patient with urinary incontinence should be examined by a urologist and gynecologist. This will allow not only to establish the causes and form of incontinence, but also to choose the best ways of correction. When collecting an anamnesis, the doctor is interested in the duration of the onset of incontinence, its relationship with stress or other provoking factors, the presence of imperative urges and other dysuric symptoms (burning, pain, pain). During the conversation, risk factors are specified: traumatic childbirth, surgical interventions, neurological pathology, features of professional activity.

Be sure to conduct an examination on the gynecological chair; this allows you to identify prolapse of the genitals, urethro-, cysto- and rectocele, assess the condition of the skin of the perineum, detect genitourinary fistulas, conduct functional tests (test with straining, cough test) that provoke involuntary urination. Before re-admission (within 3-5 days), the patient is asked to keep a diary of urination, which notes the frequency of micturition, the volume of each portion of urine allocated, the number of episodes of incontinence, the number of pads used, the volume of fluid consumed per day.

To assess the anatomical and topographic relationships of the pelvic organs, gynecological ultrasound, ultrasound of the bladder is performed. Of the laboratory examination methods, the most interesting are the general urinalysis, urine culture for flora, and survey smear microscopy. Urodynamic study methods include uroflowmetry, filling and emptying cystometry, intraurethral pressure profilometry - these diagnostic procedures allow assessing the state of sphincters, differentiating stress and urgency urinary incontinence in women.

If necessary, a functional examination is supplemented by methods of instrumental assessment of the anatomical structure of the urinary tract: urethrocystography, ureteroscopy and cystoscopy. The result of the examination is a conclusion reflecting the form, degree and causes of incontinence.

Treatment of urinary incontinence in women

If there is no gross organic pathology causing incontinence, treatment begins with conservative measures. The patient is recommended to normalize weight (in case of obesity), quit smoking, which provokes chronic cough, eliminate heavy physical labor, and follow a caffeine-free diet. In the initial stages, exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor (Kegel gymnastics), electrical stimulation of the muscles of the perineum, biofeedback therapy can be effective. With concomitant neuropsychiatric disorders, the help of a psychotherapist may be required.

Pharmacological support for stress incontinence may include the appointment of antidepressants (duloxetine, imipramine), topical estrogens (in the form of vaginal suppositories or cream) or systemic HRT. For the treatment of imperative incontinence, M-cholinolytics (tolterodine, oxybutynin, solifenacin), α-blockers (alfuzosin, tamsulosin, doxazosin), imipramine, hormone replacement therapy are used. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed intravesical injections of botulinum toxin type A, periurethral injection of autofat, fillers.

Surgery for stress urinary incontinence in women includes more than 200 different techniques and their modifications. Sling operations (TOT, TVT, TVT-O, TVT-S) are the most common methods of operative correction of stress incontinence today. Despite the differences in execution technique, they are based on a single general principle - fixing the urethra with the help of a "loop" made of an inert synthetic material and reducing its hypermobility, preventing urine leakage.

However, despite the high efficiency of sling operations, 10-20% of women develop relapses. Depending on the clinical indications, it is possible to perform other types of surgical interventions: urethrocystopexy, anterior colporrhaphy with bladder reposition, implantation of an artificial bladder sphincter, etc.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis is determined by the causes of development, the severity of the pathology and the timeliness of seeking medical help. Prevention consists in giving up bad habits and addictions, weight control, strengthening the press and muscles of the pelvic floor, and controlling bowel movements. An important aspect is the careful management of childbirth, adequate treatment of urogenital and neurological diseases. Women who are faced with such an intimate problem as urinary incontinence need to overcome false modesty and seek specialized help as soon as possible.

Involuntary urination can be caused by urological diseases or difficult childbirth. This problem cannot be ignored, since if left untreated, serious consequences and long-term treatment are possible.

There are several types of urinary incontinence in women:

Factors that provoke spontaneous urination in women are varied. Very often, pathology is diagnosed in women who have had a protracted or rapid birth. problems - weakening of the pelvic muscles and disruption of the urethral sphincter. They, in turn, can be triggered by such diseases and situations as:

childbearing and childbirth;
overweight, obesity;
bladder stones;
abnormal structure of the urinary organs;
chronic infections;
persistent cough;
diabetes;
oncological diseases;
cystitis and urethritis;
prolapse of the pelvic organs;
body aging;
hard physical labor.

Causes, as well as treatment of urinary incontinence in women can be different.

Smoking, long-term use of diuretics and antidepressants, frequent use of strong coffee and carbonated drinks contribute to the occurrence of problems with urination.

Urinary incontinence most often affects women who have given birth to a child, and it can be observed even during pregnancy. In this case, the cause is natural physiological factors: the ever-growing uterus presses hard on the bladder, resulting in a small amount of urine being released. This condition is considered normal. But if it persists after delivery, this is an alarming sign that cannot be ignored. Normalization of the process of excretion of urine after pregnancy can last up to a year. But sometimes a woman needs the help of specialists. We are not talking about any threat to life, but such a condition prevents us from leading a full life. The sooner the diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, the higher the chances of restoring the functioning of the bladder. Spontaneous urination after childbirth can be triggered by the following factors:

mobility of the urethra;
weakening of the pelvic muscles;
frequent changes in pressure inside the bubble;
a large fetus and a narrow pelvis in the mother;
surgical intervention during childbirth;
rapid weight gain during pregnancy;
neurological disorders;
structural features of the urinary organs;
hereditary factor.

Urinary incontinence most often affects women who have given birth to a child, and it can be observed even during pregnancy.

Post-pregnancy incontinence presents with a range of symptoms;

A small amount of urine is excreted during physical exertion, coughing or sneezing.
Spontaneous urination at night.
Uncontrollable urge to go to the toilet.

Treatment of incontinence in women who have given birth is carried out by sparing methods, as they are breastfeeding. Only a qualified specialist can choose the best therapy option.

During this difficult period, significant hormonal changes occur in the female body, which affect the work of various systems. The urinary organs are no exception. Involuntary urination can occur even in those women who have not encountered such a problem before. Among the main reasons are:

Gradual fading of the ovaries and a decrease in the amount of estrogen. As a result, tissue elasticity decreases.
Pathological changes in the location and functioning of organs. After the age of forty there is a gradual prolapse of the uterus and vagina, and they squeeze the bladder and intestines.
Dryness of the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning. In such conditions, infection can enter and, as a result, problems with urination.
Decreased elasticity of the walls of the bladder, causing its constant irritation.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the kidneys and pancreas.
Obesity - extra pounds lead to an additional load on the pelvic organs, because of which they cannot cope with their functions.

Most women experience urinary problems during menopause.

Developing with menopause, it causes physical and moral discomfort, which can be eliminated only after complex treatment.

The symptoms of urinary incontinence come down to one big problem - the inability to control urination. Patients usually complain about:

easy or profuse involuntary urination;
incontinence on the background of laughter, coughing or tension;
a sudden desire to urinate, not associated with any reason;
joint emptying of feces and urine;
irritation of the skin in the groin area - occurs as a result of constant contact with urine.

The symptoms of urinary incontinence come down to one big problem - the inability to control urination.

All of these symptoms cause significant discomfort and interfere with normal life. The constant desire to urinate does not allow you to move far from the toilet, causes irritation and isolation. Leaking urine stains underwear, and it begins to smell bad.

Urinary incontinence is a reason to go to the doctor and consult with him.

He will conduct the necessary research, make a diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. The patient must follow all the doctor's recommendations and take medications on time. Only in this case, you can achieve a quick and successful recovery. A severe degree of involuntary urination is treated with medication and physiotherapy, as well as through surgery.

Conservative therapy

Medications that help solve problems with urination are selected taking into account the diagnosis and the cause of the development of the pathology. A woman can be prescribed the following funds:

Estrogens - are indicated for hormonal failure.
Sympathomimetics - stimulate the pelvic muscles.
Anticholinergic drugs - relieve the overactivity of the bladder, resulting in the disease receding.
Antidepressants - will help solve the problem if it is caused by frequent stress and nervous fatigue.

During treatment, the following medical advice must be observed:

exclude coffee, tea and carbonated drinks from the diet;
avoid anxiety and normalize sleep;
give up physical activity, and in the acute phase observe bed rest;
do not drink alcohol;
improve the functioning of the digestive organs;
change pads every two hours to prevent the growth of germs and bacteria;
refuse sexual intercourse.

During treatment, it is necessary to exclude coffee, tea and carbonated drinks from the diet.

Treatment can be done at home or in a hospital setting. In the first case, the patient should regularly visit a doctor for examination and control. Chronic urinary incontinence requires longer therapy. A woman can be prescribed hormonal drugs and drugs, the action of which is aimed at improving the functioning of the bladder. Often, patients are offered physiotherapy treatment.

Surgery

The operation is performed in cases where conservative therapy does not give positive results. Methods may vary, and the specific choice depends on the results of the diagnosis. For urinary incontinence:

Sling operations - a synthetic mesh is introduced into the bladder, made in the form of a loop. It is designed to hold urine and prevent it from leaking.
Injections of specific drugs, thanks to which the urethra is fixed in the optimal position.
Laparoscopy - tissues located around the urethra are suspended from the groove ligaments.
Colporrhaphy - the vagina is sutured, and urine stops leaking.

One of the most effective treatments for urinary incontinence is surgery.

Folk remedies

Treatment of incontinence with the help of alternative medicine recipes is possible only after consulting a doctor, since self-medication threatens with serious complications. At home, you can use tools such as:

Sage infusion - the herb is brewed and taken in a glass up to three times a day.
Dill seeds - put in boiling water, wrap and leave for two hours. Strain the finished medicine and drink immediately.
Lingonberries - chop the berries and leaves, mix with St. John's wort, brew and soak in a water bath for a quarter of an hour.
Yarrow - pour water and send to a low fire, insist for an hour and use inside.
Corn stigmas - boil, leave for fifteen minutes and strain. Ready broth to drink throughout the day.

Infusion of sage herb should be consumed one glass three times a day

In some situations, treatment with folk remedies gives a good result. But if there are no improvements, they should be abandoned and other methods of therapy should be used.

Possible Complications

If left untreated, involuntary urination can cause serious consequences that are unsafe for health:

the transition of the disease to a chronic form;
constant pain during emptying;
menstrual irregularities;
the development of serious diseases affecting the genitals.

Unpleasant consequences can be avoided if you consult a doctor in time, undergo an examination and adequate treatment.

Prevention

To prevent spontaneous urination, you need to follow simple recommendations:

Avoid severe stress and nervous tension.
Avoid hypothermia.
Give up all bad habits.
Empty the bladder in a timely manner and monitor this process.
Maintain optimal water balance - for this you need to drink up to two liters of fluid per day.
Control weight.
Limit your intake of spicy foods and salt.
During pregnancy, do exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Include dairy products in the menu.
Treat any disease promptly.
Regularly undergo preventive examinations.

Involuntary urination is a common problem in women that does not go away on its own. It requires mandatory treatment, so do not ignore the alarming symptoms. The specialist will help to find the cause of the problems and quickly get rid of them.

Involuntary urination is a syndrome characteristic of a large number of diseases. It can occur in a person at any age and with a different state of health. Most often, the syndrome occurs in older women. But in fact, more people suffer from it, who believe that this is a normal physiological process. For this reason, some patients end up in treatment centers with advanced disease.

Uncontrolled excretion of urine, when a person does not feel the urge, in patients is expressed in different ways. Symptoms of incontinence include:

involuntary urination in large or small quantities;
sudden and frequent urge to empty the bladder;
involuntary release of fluid during the manifestation of emotions or physical exertion.

In medicine, there are many ways to deal with involuntary urination, from time-tested folk recipes to surgical intervention.

Provoking factors

According to research conducted by the American scientist M. Stalkovich, urinary incontinence occurs against the background of stress. In this case, the amount of liquid released varies from a few drops to a large volume. Other reasons include:

depressive state;
infection in the pelvic organs;
advanced cystitis;
weakness of the muscles that control the process of fluid secretion;
menopause or childbirth in women;
congenital anatomical pathologies of the urinary organs.

Based on the variety of causes of incontinence, in medicine they classify it into several types: urgent, stress, mixed, nocturnal, situational and senile:

Senile involuntary urination. With age, the number of muscle fibers decreases in a person, his muscle mass decreases, so his arms and legs weaken. In mature women, the muscles in the pelvic organs also weaken, the vagina and uterus prolapse, the sphincters work poorly, which causes urinary incontinence.
The night type is characterized by a large amount of fluid secretion, a person is not able to control this process.
Urgent type is associated with increased contraction of the muscles of the bladder. Incontinence is characterized by strong and sudden.
The stress type occurs due to disruption of the sphincter of the bladder. Patients complain of the release of fluid during physical exertion, coughing, sneezing, etc. Small portions of urine are allocated, but after emptying the desire to urinate remains.
The mixed type contains several symptoms at once. Incontinence is caused by coughing or sneezing, or by an urgent urge to have a bowel movement.

Any type of urinary incontinence is called enuresis.

Methods of treatment

Given the nature of incontinence and the structure of the muscles of the genitourinary system, the treatment of the disease in men and women occurs in different ways. In men, enuresis occurs against the background of age-related changes, stress, prostatitis and other causes. Therefore, doctors prescribe conservative treatment to patients: physiotherapy and drug therapy. Patients will have to give up alcohol, coffee drinks, chocolate, spicy foods, citrus fruits, etc.

In women, involuntary urination occurs during pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, or infection in the genitourinary system. Patients doctors prescribe antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs, diet and the use of herbal infusions.

Folk recipes for the treatment of incontinence

There are a huge number of folk methods of treatment, since since ancient times people have used those herbs that grew in their area. To date, a large collection of recipes has gathered:

A tablespoon of dill should be crushed in a mortar, then the powder is poured into a thermos, poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for at least two hours. Drink the tincture slowly on an empty stomach. The procedure is recommended to be performed before going to bed. The course of treatment is up to two weeks.
3 art. l. sage should be boiled over low heat in one liter of water. Then the medicinal tea is infused for about two hours, filtered and ready to drink. The infusion can be drunk throughout the day.
A mixture of herbs centaury and St. John's wort is not only a remedy for the treatment of urinary incontinence. The tool is drunk like tea, it strengthens the immune system and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
Pour 50 g of sage into a thermos and pour a liter of boiling water. Tea is infused for two hours, after which it is ready for use. Drink the infusion three times a day, one hour before meals.
1 st. l. corn stigmas pour a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. The infusion should be drunk twice a day for 0.5 liters. The remedy is effective for cystitis.

Medical treatment

Medications are effective for some types of incontinence. After diagnosing the disease, doctors prescribe treatment with drugs such as adrenomimetics, which increase the tone of the sphincter of the bladder. In this group, the following drugs can be distinguished: Vesicar, Detrusitol, Spasmex and others.

In cases where treatment fails, doctors resort to surgical intervention. Depending on the state of health of the patient, sling or loop operations are used (a loop in the form of a mesh is inserted under the urethra), injections that promote urination in the correct position, colporrhaphy, etc.

Kegel exercises

In addition to drug treatment and herbal medicine, older and older people with urinary incontinence are advised to use the exercises that Arnold Kegel developed back in the middle of the 20th century. According to his research, the problem arises from the weakening of the muscles of the perineum and pelvis. A set of exercises eliminates not only urinary incontinence, but also improves blood circulation in the muscles of the perineum.

To assess the degree of plasticity of your muscles, you can suddenly tighten your muscles during urination and stop the release of fluid. If it happened right away, then there is nothing to worry about. If the stop is difficult, then you need to perform the exercises now:

Take a sitting position, tighten the muscles of the perineum very strongly. In tension, you need to hold out for a few seconds, then slowly relax the muscles. Exercises are recommended to start with 20-30 “blinks” per day, but the effect can be obtained only with regular squeezing up to 200 times.
Another compression option, but it needs to be done in stages. The muscles of the perineum are compressed inward with a gradual increase in load. At the first stage, the muscles contract slightly, after 10 seconds the contraction intensifies. As a result, you need to reach maximum compression, and before that, it is not recommended to relax the muscles. At the end of the exercise, you can rest.
The exercises are easy to perform, they do not require much physical preparation and time for classes. Blinking can be done at home while watching a movie or cooking, at a bus stop while waiting for transport, in a store, or anywhere else. Passers-by will not notice anything, and the results obtained will not only increase the elasticity of the muscles of the pelvic organs, but also lead to greater satisfaction in intimate life.

Prevention of incontinence

To avoid discomfort, you should empty your bladder in a timely manner, monitor your body weight, and visit your doctor regularly. Kegel exercises are also helpful.

Urinary incontinence in women (incontinence) is a pathological disorder of urination, in which the patient cannot fully control the process. Most often, just a few drops of urine are released, but in some cases there is a complete uncontrolled emptying of the bladder.

Causes, as well as treatment of urinary incontinence in women can be different. Understanding the essence of what is happening, namely why the internal muscles have ceased to cope with the usual load, allows the doctor to choose an effective therapy tactic and completely defeat the problem. It is important to know that urinary incontinence can be cured at any age, the main thing is to contact a specialist in a timely manner and unconditionally follow all his recommendations.

According to statistics, every fifth woman complains of uncontrolled spontaneous urination. Depending on the anatomy of the genitourinary system, it can be true or false. In the second case, we are talking about pathologies of the location of the bladder or urethra - fistulas, injuries and birth defects.

The vast majority of cases of sudden urination in adult women is true. That is, with normally located internal organs, a woman cannot hold back urine during sneezing, coughing, at the sounds of flowing water, or in other situations.

Over time, such incontinence can grow from an annoying nuisance into a real problem. If at first we are talking about the leakage of a small amount of urine, then without treatment the volume of discharge increases. A woman begins to experience psychological complexes associated with the fear of suddenly urinating in the presence of people, during sex, or not running to the restroom. This condition negatively affects the standard of living and can even lead to depression.

What are the symptoms of involuntary urination in women

Involuntary excretion of urine in women can manifest itself in different ways:

Leakage of urine during exercise. It can be not only weight lifting, but also banal sneezing, coughing, attempts to defecate.
Urinary incontinence during intercourse. Usually, its probability increases when choosing positions when the partner puts physical pressure on the bladder, for example, finds it from above.
Morning incontinence occurs when a woman gets out of bed. Weak muscles cannot contain the increased pressure of the bladder, which has arisen due to a sharp change in body position from horizontal to vertical. Usually the bladder is full after a long sleep.
Spontaneous urination under the influence of an irritant. For every woman, it can be individual. Often patients refer to the sound or sight of flowing water, bright light. Such urges occur frequently and may be so strong that they end in an uncontrolled separation of urine.

Frequent urination - more than 8 times a day - is also a symptom of incontinence. With normal fluid intake, this may indicate an overactive bladder. In this case, the woman may not suspect that she is suffering from urinary incontinence, and therefore does not seek help from specialists.

What are the types of involuntary urination?

Depending on the reasons that caused it, doctors developed the following classification:

Stress urinary incontinence in women is associated with weakening of the internal muscles of the pelvic floor or disruption of the sphincter of the bladder.
Urinary incontinence in women is also called overactive bladder syndrome, which sends signals to empty before it is physically full.
Mixed - combines the symptoms of the first two types.
Reflex - manifests itself in violations of the innervation of the pelvic organs. It is extremely rare.
Iatrogenic incontinence - uncontrolled separation of urine due to the use of certain drugs, which disappears after discontinuation of therapy.
Situational urination - occurs during intercourse or with true overflow of the bladder.

It is worth noting that the vast majority of clinical cases faced by doctors belong to the first two types of incontinence. They account for about 90% of all calls.

Stress incontinence and its subtypes

Stress incontinence is due to the fact that the pelvic muscles and the sphincter of the bladder in women, for a number of reasons, become insolvent, that is, they cannot cope with the usual load. It first appears as a drip of urine during sneezing, coughing, or other physical activities (such as having sex). In this case, women may complain of the simultaneous separation of small amounts of feces or intestinal gases.

The causes of incontinence are:

Pregnancy. It can provoke incontinence even in young women. Due to the ever-increasing size of the uterus, the pressure on the bladder and intestines increases, which contributes to the uncontrolled separation of their contents. In addition, fluctuations in the hormonal background cause atony of the muscles, which are unable to withstand the ever-increasing physical load. Uncontrolled urination during pregnancy is the most favorable in terms of prognosis, because after childbirth it may disappear on its own.

Childbirth. Although they are related to the previous factor, delivery is a distinct trigger for urinary incontinence. Particularly negative impact on the condition of the muscles of the pelvis natural childbirth with prolonged attempts, internal ruptures and episiotomy. Subsequently, the girls experience urinary, fecal and gas incontinence, which, depending on the intensity and the presence of other diseases, can go away on its own or, on the contrary, progress with age.

Abdominal operations on the pelvic organs. Any surgical intervention can contribute to the formation of adhesions. They cause chronic urinary incontinence due to changes in intraperitoneal pressure.

Menopause. Urological problems are familiar to 50% of women who have entered menopause. As women age, the number of women suffering from incontinence rises to 75%. This is due to a deficiency of estrogens - female sex hormones that affect the elasticity of the pelvic muscles and metabolic processes.

Stress incontinence causes many problems for women. Because of him, they refuse to lead their usual way of life, appear in public, play sports, and lead an intimate life. It is very important to discard false shame in time and consult a doctor. Modern medicine can offer several types of treatment from conservative to surgical intervention.

imperative urination

Imperative urge to urinate appears under the influence of external factors. They can be so strong that a woman simply does not have time to reach the nearest toilet. This is due to increased irritability of the bladder muscles, which requires emptying even with a minimal amount of urine. The reasons for this overactive bladder are not yet known.

Unlike stress incontinence, this type of incontinence rarely occurs during exercise, running or brisk walking. It can manifest itself as nocturnal enuresis and is aggravated by alcohol intake or in connection with an exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Thus, the treatment of imperative urinary incontinence in women should begin with the abandonment of bad habits and a visit to the gynecologist.

How to identify urinary incontinence

If a woman suffers from urinary incontinence, then she needs to seek help, first of all, from a urologist and gynecologist. Such a tandem will help not only to correctly diagnose, but also quickly cure urinary incontinence.

For diagnosis, the following activities and manipulations are carried out:

Medical history - that is, the collection of information about the patient's lifestyle, symptoms and the presence of concomitant diseases.

PAD-test - consists in counting the number of pads used by a woman per day. It makes it possible to assess the severity of incontinence in the patient.
Gynecological examination on the armchair. Often, with urinary incontinence in women, omission or prolapse of internal organs is recorded, which the doctor should notice.
Complete urinalysis - This simple test looks for inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra (urethritis), symptoms of which may include pain when urinating and incontinence.
Ultrasound is a quick and painless study that allows you to visually assess the condition of the bladder, ureters, urethra and other organs of the small pelvis.
MRI is a highly accurate imaging modality indicated when ultrasound examinations cannot give an accurate clinical picture.
Urodynamic studies are a set of procedures aimed at studying the functions of the urinary system.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Depending on the type of pathology, there are several groups of methods for treating urinary incontinence in women. The most common of these is Kegel gymnastics, which consists in sequential tension and relaxation of the internal muscles of the pelvic floor - periurethral and perivaginal. These exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles involved in the act of urination, and have an excellent therapeutic and preventive effect. With their help, you can cure mild incontinence at home, but gymnastics must be performed regularly, up to 100 repetitions per day.

A more advanced option is biofeedback training, which allows you to control the effectiveness of gymnastics and is guaranteed to increase the tone of the bladder.

A good result is the use of various simulators for intimate muscles, as well as psychological training.

Treatment of stress incontinence

Treatment for stress urinary incontinence begins with medication. The following drug groups are shown:

Adrenomimetics that increase muscle tone. Currently rarely used due to side effects.
Anticholinesterase drugs with a similar effect.
Antidepressants and drugs that affect the central nervous system. These agents are rarely used because of their low efficacy in stress incontinence.

If drug therapy does not give the desired result, then surgical intervention is indicated.

There are several types of surgeries for urinary incontinence in women. The choice between them always remains with the doctor, who proceeds from the specific clinical picture of the disease.

Sling operations - a loop of synthetic material is placed under the bladder neck or urethra, which ensures the physiological position of the internal organs even with a significant increase in load. Injections of tissue-forming drugs, which also guarantee the correct position of the bladder, eliminating urinary incontinence.

Urgent incontinence treatment

Urgent incontinence is treated with medication. For this, drugs such as:

Oxybutynin - reduces the tone of the bladder.
Tamsulosin - relaxes the bladder and improves tissue trophism.
Hormone replacement therapy is also carried out for women during menopause.

What to do with urge urinary incontinence if the medications listed above do not help? Experts recommend resorting to general therapies, including psychological training.

How to deal with urinary incontinence folk remedies

Of all the ways and means of traditional medicine, there is not one that would be guaranteed to cure all types of urinary incontinence. However, they may be useful in mild forms of enuresis, as well as in concomitant inflammatory diseases of the urinary organs. For example, the herb yarrow enhances diuresis. Thus, the amount of urine that a woman writes out increases. This helps to remove salts and infection from the bladder, relieving the symptoms of cystitis or urethritis.

It is worth noting that self-medication in case of incontinence is not worth it. There is a chance to start the disease, which will lead to even greater somatic and psychological problems. It is better to ask a urologist about how to treat urinary incontinence, who will conduct a thorough diagnosis and select the best therapy option.

What else can be done to get rid of incontinence

Very often, urinary incontinence can be eliminated by adjusting your lifestyle and giving up bad habits. If the cause of stress urinary incontinence in a woman is a cough, then you should stop smoking or visit an allergist to identify other causes of persistent coughing. Doctors strongly advise against drinking alcohol, which can become a problem of morning incontinence or nighttime urine leakage. Sometimes, to prevent arbitrary urination, it is enough to lose a few kilograms. Obesity is an important risk factor for all women.

If with the help of these actions it was not possible to get rid of the problem, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention of uncontrolled urination

In a woman's body, all processes are so interconnected that the best prevention of uncontrolled separation of urine is the timely treatment of gynecological, endocrine, urological and psychological diseases.

Every girl from her youth should perform Kegel exercises daily, which, in addition to preventing incontinence, is also an excellent preparation of the pelvic muscles for the upcoming birth.