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Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

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4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Women's Health Awareness / Accidents Happen: Facts About Urinary Incontinence in Women

Accidents Happen: Facts About Urinary Incontinence in Women

January 11, 2021 By Liliana Zapien

urinary incontinence in women

The number of women that struggle with some level of urinary incontinence may surprise you. Studies suggest that about 50 percent of women deal with urinary incontinence at different points in their life. It also affects about twice as many women as men.

If you feel like you’re the only one who can’t make it to the bathroom or has leakage when you sneeze, know that you’re not alone.

What is urinary incontinence, and are there different kinds?

Urinary incontinence is quite simply defined as “bladder leakage” or a loss of bladder control. There are a couple of different types of urinary incontinence: urge incontinence and stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence causes a severe need to urinate and an inability to hold it long enough to get to a bathroom. Stress incontinence happens when external pressure or stress causes a loss of bladder control — this would be things like sneezing, laughing or coughing.

A good majority of women deal with a combination of both types of urinary continence, which is referred to as “mixed incontinence.”

What factors contribute to urinary incontinence in women?

There’s a long list of possible factors that can contribute to urinary incontinence, but some of the most common are age, number of vaginal deliveries, obesity, menopause, diabetes and family history.

Numerous studies have been done on urinary incontinence in women and they tend to have some varying results. Overall, it’s considered to be a major health issue around the world.

In one Chinese study published by the National Library of Medicine, the biggest risk factors for developing urinary incontinence were multiple vaginal deliveries, age and menopause.

Another study showed that the risk of urinary incontinence in women is fairly low in younger women, it peaks at menopause, and then continues to increase in women age 60 or older. Still other studies have shown levels of education and marital status factor into the statistics.

In addition, things like repeat urinary tract infections, frequent or chronic constipation and bladder cancer can also cause urinary incontinence.

Should I seek help or treatment for my urinary incontinence?

There is a surprising number of women who either wait years to ask for help with their urinary incontinence or never talk to their doctor. It’s estimated that only about 40 percent of women bring up their incontinence issues with their doctor, even though the condition is treatable.

If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, you can do several things at home to help improve your bladder control. Simple ways to help include doing Kegel exercises, drinking more water and less diuretics (i.e. coffee, tea, alcohol), setting a schedule for bathroom trips and losing excess weight.

There are also different treatment plans for women (or men) who have more severe urinary incontinence, so don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. The sooner you address the problem, the more successful the treatment will be. If there’s an underlying condition or issue that may be causing the urinary incontinence, that could be an even more serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.

Reach out to one of our caring and compassionate gynecologists at All About Women today to talk about anything related to urinary incontinence or your overall health.

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All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


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Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Creative Pregnancy Announcement : Fruits for Pregnant Women

OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

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