Question: What Is Stress Incontinence?
Answer: Stress incontinence is the type of urinary incontinence that occurs when a small amount of urine leaks out during jumping, coughing, running, sneezing, or other types of activity that cause pressure on the bladder.
Women are more likely than men to experience stress incontinence. This is often due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause -- all conditions that can cause changes to the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder.
Many women experience more stress incontinence in the week before menstruation. Researchers believe that lower levels of estrogen just before menstruation may cause a weakening of the muscle pressure around the urethra, which leads to urine leakage.
If you think you may have stress incontinence, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Source:
Urinary Incontinence In Women. NIKKD. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/. Accessed 04/08/10.
