Stress Urinary Incontinence

What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) occurs when urine leaks during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing or any movement that puts pressure (stress) on the bladder.

How does Stress Urinary Incontinence affect the bladder? 

• Bladder leakage in SUI is due to the weakening of the pelvic muscles and tissue that normally support the bladder.

• In a standard functioning bladder, the muscles in your urethra stay closed to prevent urine from escaping the bladder until you have reached the bathroom.

• With SUI, however, any force that is exerted on the bladder through physical movement such as running, sneezing or laughing, may cause your bladder to leak since weakened pelvic muscles are no longer staying closed.

Not all women will experience SUI in the same way. Some women will only leak when they exercise vigorously or when they have a full bladder. Other women, however, may experience bladder leakage from daily living activities, such as walking or sneezing. While the amount of urine leakage may differ, at some point SUI may interfere with your activities, intrude on your social life, or be just plain inconvenient and embarrassing. Read stories of women who suffered from stress urinary incontinence and had surgery to take control of their condition here on FemalePelvicSolutions.