Urinary Incontinence; How a Midurethral Sling Can Make it Safe to Laugh Again
Understanding surgery to correct bladder leaking in women
“Don’t make me laugh, cough, or sneeze.” For the one in four women over forty who suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI), one funny joke can lead to an embarrassing moment.
Stress urinary incontinence is the temporary loss of bladder control. SUI is triggered when bladder pressure overcomes the surrounding muscles designed to keep urine contained. Exercising, laughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects increases bladder pressure and can lead to accidents.
Stress urinary incontinence may be common, but it is never normal. No one has to live with bladder leaking.
Lifestyle changes improve symptoms. Overweight women often notice an improvement after weight loss. Reducing the intake of inflammatory chemicals like caffeine also helps. Eliminating smoking can decrease the number of times you leak.
Nonsurgical options such as pelvic muscle exercises and physical therapy can play a roll in the treatment of stress incontinence. Some women benefit from local injections of Botox or bulking agents like Collagen.
A minimally invasive surgical repair called a mid-urethral sling is an effective…
