Stress Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Stress incontinence is leaking when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or do some type of physical activity like exercising, lifting, or climbing stairs. It’s usually caused by weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles that create a loss of support for the bladder.
Stress incontinence can affect your daily habits such as work, exercise, or time with family and friends.
What Causes Stress Incontinence?
The condition itself can be caused by a weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscle, resulting in a lack of support for the bladder. Pregnancy and childbirth are common causes for the pelvic muscles to stretch out and become weak and or damaged.
Symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence
The main symptom is a sudden loss of urine caused by increased pressure on the bladder from a range of activities, including:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Lifting
- Exercising
- Climbing Stairs
Stress Incontinence Treatment
Dr. Taylor uses a 20-minute, minimally invasive procedure called the mini-sling to treat stress incontinence.
This mini-sling is placed through a small incision just inside the vagina, below the urethra. It corrects the loss of support and stabilizes the bladder during activities that previously caused incontinence. It requires just a few stitches that dissolve on their own and most patients are back to work in a few days.
If you feel you may be experiencing stress incontinence, schedule a consult with Dr. Taylor today.
