Treatment of urinary incontinence in menopausal women

Dear MHI reader,

Are you one of the menopausal women who struggle with unpleasant urinary leakage (urinary incontinence)? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence is a common problem that affects some menopausal women.

In this newsletter, we take a closer look at what urinary incontinence is, why it occurs during the menopause, and what you can do about it.

What is urinary incontinence?

During the menopause, hormonal changes can affect bladder control and lead to urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. A distinction is made between stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and mixed incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when pressure is exerted on the bladder, e.g., when coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects. Urge incontinence occurs when there is a sudden urge to urinate, and you cannot make it to the toilet in time. Mixed incontinence is a combination of both.

Why does urinary incontinence occur during the menopause?

The hormone balance changes during the menopause, with oestrogen levels, in particular, falling. This can lead to a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which are important for bladder control. This muscle supports the bladder and urethra. It can also lead to changes in the tissue of the urethra and the bladder itself, resulting in an increased susceptibility to urinary incontinence. In addition, there are age-related changes, such as reduced bladder capacity or increased irritability of the bladder.

What can you do about it?

Fortunately, there are various ways to deal with urinary incontinence during the menopause:

• Pelvic floor training: Regular training of the pelvic floor muscles can help to improve bladder control. Exercises such as Kegel exercises are particularly effective.
• Lifestyle changes: By adjusting your lifestyle, you can improve your symptoms. These include avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, quitting smoking, and achieving a healthy weight.
• Medical treatments: In some cases, medical treatments such as medication or specialized therapies may be prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of urinary incontinence.
• Aids: There are also various aids such as pads, templates, or special underwear that can help to manage urine loss discreetly.
• Surgical options: In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat symptoms and restore bladder control.

Treating urinary incontinence often requires a combination of different approaches. It is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms in order to develop a customized treatment strategy.

We hope this information will help you to better understand the menopause and take practical steps to deal with it. If you need personal advice or support on your journey through the menopause, contact The Women Circle here.

In our next edition, again on Saturday at 9am, we will cover more aspects of the menopause and women’s health. Stay informed and feel good in this special phase of life.