Why is this happening to me now??
Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women during and after menopause. The decline in estrogen levels during menopause is one of the primary reasons why women experience urinary incontinence.
Estrogen is a hormone that helps maintain the strength and integrity of the muscles and tissues in the pelvic floor, which support the bladder and urethra. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, the pelvic floor muscles and tissues can become weaker and less resilient, which can lead to urinary incontinence.
There are several types of urinary incontinence that women can experience during menopause, including:
Stress incontinence: This occurs when there is pressure on the bladder, such as during coughing, sneezing, or exercising, which causes urine to leak.
Urge incontinence: This occurs when there is a sudden and strong urge to urinate, and the bladder contracts involuntarily, causing urine to leak before reaching the toilet.
Mixed incontinence: This is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
In addition to hormonal changes, there are several other factors that can contribute to urinary incontinence during menopause. These include:
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can put additional pressure on the bladder and contribute to urinary incontinence.
Chronic cough: Chronic coughing, often caused by smoking or respiratory conditions, can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to urinary incontinence.
Certain medications: Some medications can cause urinary incontinence as a side effect. (Specifically, some blood pressure medication, acne/hair growth meds, etc. Ask your healthcare provider!)
Neurological conditions: Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease can interfere with the signals between the brain and bladder, causing urinary incontinence.
Treatment options for urinary incontinence during menopause can include pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, medication, and surgery in some cases. It’s important for women experiencing urinary incontinence to discuss their symptoms with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
It might be “natural” to have these problems as women, but we don’t have to just deal with it!
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About the Author
Dr. Rachel Pope is a board-certified gynecologist, the chief of a female Sexual Health division in a Urology Department, and the founder of Our Womanity. She created Our Womanity to shed light on the subjects people don't talk about, reduce the stigma, and empower women to understand their own health.