You’re in the middle of a hearty laugh or a workout session, and it happens — a little leak, an incontinence episode. It’s moments like these that many women quietly endure, believing it’s just a part of life, getting older or the natural after effects of having children. Some women think it’ll just go away on it’s own.
The truth is ignoring incontinence won’t make it go away – seeking treatment (yes, it’s possible to treat!) will.
What is urinary incontinence?
Incontinence involves the involuntary loss of bladder control. It can manifest as mild leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing or sneezing or as a strong, sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control.
Common incontinence misconceptions
Before we dive into why it’s essential not to ignore this issue, let’s clear up some misconceptions:
“It’s normal to leak when I cough, sneeze, laugh, and exercise.”
Just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s normal.
“Most of my friends leak during and after pregnancy too. It’s the price we pay for having children.”
Incontinence is common post-pregnancy, but it’s not something you need to put up with for the rest of your life.
“Incontinence is inevitable for me – my mother and grandmother lived with it.”
Genetics play a role, but they don’t seal your fate.
“I have always had a weak bladder.”
Let’s change that!
“There’s nothing I can do about it.”
This is perhaps the biggest misconception of them all. Treatment is available!
These beliefs can make it easy to normalise or dismiss incontinence, but it’s so important to take it seriously.
7 reasons why you shouldn’t ignore incontinence
- Complications on other organs – Ignoring incontinence can lead to complications affecting the bladder, kidneys, and other pelvic organs, which might result in more serious health issues.
- Changes in the nervous system – The longer incontinence is left untreated, the more your body gets used to improper bladder signals, making the problem more intense and harder to reverse.
- Weakened pelvic floor – Incontinence is often a sign of a weakened pelvic floor. These muscles are vital for support and control of your bladder, and if they’re dysfunctional, they will continue to weaken, and incontinence will worsen.
- Increased risk of falls – Did you know that up to 1 in 2 falls in older adults can be linked to incontinence? This risk comes from the frequent and urgent need to use the bathroom, which can lead to hurried movements and falls.
- Social and emotional impacts – The worry of a leak can lead you to pull back from activities and social engagements, impacting your work, personal life, and mental health. You deserve to live without that constant concern!
- It can get worse – If left unmanaged, incontinence can increase in frequency and severity. Early intervention can make a big difference.
- There is help available, so why struggle? – There’s a variety of treatments available, such as physiotherapy, that can significantly improve, if not completely resolve, symptoms of incontinence. There’s no reason to struggle in silence when help is readily available.
Physiotherapy incontinence treatment with North West Healthy Women
Let’s put the worry behind and step forward into a life where you can do everything you love without hesitation and the worry of a wet patch.
At North West Healthy Women, we specialise in women’s health and provide compassionate, expert care for pelvic health issues, including incontinence. We’ll work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan, empowering you to regain control and confidence.
Book an appointment, call, or email our friendly admin team today to get started.
