What are the Common Causes of A Leaky Bladder?

Urinary incontinence is a common issue many women face, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable. A leaky bladder can interfere with your daily activities and quality of life. But what causes urinary incontinence? And more importantly, how can this problem be treated?

In this blog post, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Thomas Terence Easter explores the most common causes of bladder leakage and offers tips on managing this unfortunate condition in Upland, CA. Our goal at Women's Medical Group of Upland is to help women of all ages live without embarrassment or discomfort.

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the sudden or unintentional loss of urine. You may feel a strong urge to urinate without warning or are unable to keep urine in the bladder for too long. A leaky bladder may affect up to 10 – 20% of women under 65 and 56% of women over 65.

There are different classifications of urinary incontinence depending on the source of the problem. For example, urinary stress incontinence occurs when excess pressure on the bladder causes urine to leak. Simple activities like exercise, laughing, coughing, sneezing, or lifting something heavy can all trigger stress incontinence.

What causes bladder leakage?

Women experience urinary incontinence for one or several reasons. Patients in Upland, CA should contact our clinic if any of these apply to their situation:

• Pregnancy and childbirth: Vaginal delivery weakens the muscles needed for proper bladder control.

• Menopause: Menopause causes women to produce less estrogen, a hormone that keeps the lining of the bladder firm and healthy. Tissue degeneration can increase your risk of incontinence.

• Changes with age: Aging muscles can reduce your bladder's capacity to store urine. Involuntary bladder contractions also become more frequent.

• Lifestyle factors: Heavy lifting on a daily basis can increase your risk of incontinence because these activities place unnecessary pressure on the bladder.

• Health conditions: Obesity, severe constipation, and even chronic coughing can lead to urinary incontinence and a leaky bladder.

How can I manage incontinence?

Mild cases of urinary incontinence can be managed at home. For instance, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through simple exercises can improve your bladder control. Avoiding stimulants like caffeine and alcohol can also help. However, there may come a point where you'll need assistance from a medical professional to manage bladder leakage.

Patients with moderate to severe cases of urinary incontinence should schedule a consultation at our clinic right away. Dr. Easter recommends keeping track of your accidents and how often you leak urine. This may be helpful in diagnosing the cause of your urinary incontinence.

What can you do to help?

Dr. Easter is a specialist in the field of urogynecology. This means we focus on the health and wellness of a woman's pelvic floor, including urinary incontinence as well as vaginal, bladder, and uterine prolapse. Our dedicated team at Women's Medical Group of Upland can provide a comprehensive health evaluation to resolve and manage your incontinence issues. We are proud to offer simple treatments and procedures to improve your condition and quality of life.

Improve your bladder control

Bladder leakage can make many activities difficult and embarrassing, but it doesn't have to. If you struggle with urinary incontinence, we can help at Women's Medical Group of Upland in Upland, CA. Dr. Thomas Terence Easter is dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of women of all needs and backgrounds through our practice. Call now for an initial consultation and see how we can help.