Physiotherapy For Leakage: What is Urinary Incontinence and How Can Pelvic Floor Physio Help?
Urinary Incontinence: Common does not mean OK!
Urinary incontinence affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men. Urinary incontinence impacts 30% of persons post-partum and 71% of persons post-prostatectomy.
While there are times or events in our lives that can increase our risk for developing urinary incontinence it is never something we just have to accept “is the new normal” or avoid seeking treatment for. For example: Vision changes are common as we age but common doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get our eyes examined or pick up a pair of glasses. The same goes for urinary incontinence; if someone is experiencing leakage or is peeing more than normal, we should be offering them treatment options.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy alongside consulting a urologist, family doctor or gynecologist can all be helpful treatment options and quite often can occur concurrently.
Here at Ridgeline Physio, there is no symptom too mild to treat, even if “you only leak a little” or “get up a few times a night to pee” we can help you. Ignoring these early signs of dysfunction not only impacts your quality of life and confidence but also can allow an underlying problem to worsen.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is an involuntary loss of urine: it doesn’t matter when and it doesn’t matter how much. If you leak and didn’t mean to- that is incontinence.
Another type of incontinence is when experience a strong urge to pee often (more on that below).
What are some of the different types of incontinence?
1) Urinating with jumping, sneezing or laughing
Some people experience incontinence when they do demanding activities (like running or jumping) or when they cough or laugh. This type of incontinence usually responds well to physiotherapy and can sometimes be an early sign of pelvic floor dysfunction.
2) Having the urge to urinate…all the time
Some people don’t necessarily have any leakage but they find themselves going to the washroom every hour regardless of how much they drink. These people often also find themselves having to get up multiple times a night to urinate too.
3) Having the urge to urinate and not being able to make it to the bathroom in time
In this type of incontinence people report frequently having the urge to pee and being unable to make it to the bathroom on time. This can be very difficult for patients and often make them feel quite restricted in what activities they can do.
End of the day dampness
In this variation of incontinence, you may not notice one moment in time when you have a leak, but you find you are damp towards the end of the day.
Incontinence with intercourse
Some people report leakage during intercourse. This can happen independently or in combination with another type of incontinence as well.
Risk factors for Urinary Incontinence
Menopause
Aging (> 40 years old)
Pregnancy and birth practices (post-partum)
Multiparous: having had more than one child
Obstetric trauma (forceps, suction, tearing)
Obesity
Gynecological or urinary surgery (including hysterectomies)
Chronic illness (such as diabetes)
Medications
Smoking
Chronic straining
Chronic coughing
Signs Pelvic Health Physiotherapy may be helpful for you
If you are:
Peeing more than 6-8 x per day or urinating every hour
Urinating when you cough or sneeze
Urinating when you lift heavy objects, jump or run
Feeling a sensation of heaviness in your pelvic region
Avoiding activities because you are afraid of leakage
Avoiding drinking fluids when you are thirsty because you are afraid of leakage
Wearing pads “just in case”
Experiencing leakage with sex
Changing your schedule around to be close to a bathroom
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, please call us, email us, or book an appointment online here. We look forward to working with you!
We understand that asking for help with urinary incontinence can feel difficult and we congratulate you for getting this far. It is important to us that our patients feel safe and comfortable. Our pelvic health physiotherapist, Amanda, offers a free 15-minute phone call for anyone looking to learn more about whether pelvic health physiotherapy is right for them.
