What Is Stress Urinary Incontinence?
There are a few different forms of urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) happens when you put physical pressure on your bladder and unintentionally release urine. It can occur when you pick up heavy objects, exercise, or even sneeze or cough.
The Connection With Physical Activity
Some research suggests that women who are more physically active experience SUI more often. But these ties aren’t clear. For instance, someone might experience a bladder leakage incident while exercising, but that doesn’t mean their good fitness habits caused their SUI in the first place.
With that said, certain women might be at increased risk of SUI due to their physical activity. This could include athletes and those who make forceful landings during physical activities.
Should You Cut Back on Physical Activity?
The best thing to do if you suffer from SUI symptoms is to talk to your doctor. While they may recommend that you take it easy, most practitioners will try to strike a balance—the benefits of being active are usually worth keeping up!
In some cases, you may benefit from changing the types of physical activity you take part in. For instance, many women begin pelvic floor training to strengthen their muscles and improve their ability to retain urine. Others work on core muscle exercises, such as yoga and similar exercises that improve posture and balance.
It’s also worth noting that there are multiple ways to diagnose and treat SUI. If your incontinence has a negative impact on your quality of life or keeps you from doing the things you love, talk to an expert at Northwest Women’s Center today. Our practitioners will be able to advise a treatment plan that complements your lifestyle. Depending on your needs, there are various treatment options available to address different types of incontinence symptoms, including lifestyle and dietary changes, medication, and Emsella treatments.
Learn More About Managing Incontinence at Northwest Women’s Center
SUI is only one type of urinary incontinence—before you can deal with yours, you need to know exactly what’s going on. Book a consultation with a doctor at Northwest Women’s Center in Houston, TX, today. Call (281) 444-3440 or reach out online.
