Did you know that urinary incontinence is one of the most common female bladder problems, impacting about 10% of all adult women? While it can happen to anyone, it becomes more prevalent as women age- affecting over 40% of those aged 70 and above. The good news? Effective treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly females is available, tailored to address the specific causes and severity of the condition. If you or someone you know is dealing with this issue, keep reading to explore female urinary incontinence treatment and causes.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a condition where urine leaks unintentionally, catching many off guard between bathroom visits. Let's break down the common types:
-
Urge Incontinence:
Ever felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to go but couldn't make it to the bathroom in time? That's urgency incontinence. It's often paired with frequent trips to the restroom and might point to an underlying medical issue. -
Stress Incontinence
Picture this—you're laughing with friends, sneezing, or lifting something heavy, and oops, a little leak happens. That's stress incontinence, caused by added pressure on the bladder. -
Functional Incontinence:
Sometimes, it's not the bladder but mobility issues—like arthritis or injuries—that get in the way, making it hard to reach the restroom on time.
-
Overflow Incontinence:
This is when the bladder cannot accommodate the volume of urine produced, and there's nowhere for the extra urine to go but out, leading to accidental leakage.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Females
When it comes to the treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly females, the best approach often hinges on understanding its root cause. Identifying the underlying issue is key because aging alone doesn't directly cause incontinence. However, age-related changes can impact bladder control. For example, as we age, bladder capacity naturally decreases, making it harder to hold urine for long. The bladder muscles may also become less efficient, leaving more residual urine after urination.
Postmenopausal women often face additional challenges due to declining estrogen levels, which can shorten and thin the urethra's lining (a condition called atrophy), weakening the urinary sphincter. A slower urine flow through the urethra can also contribute to leakage. In some cases, conditions like hip fractures, bladder infections, or sudden confusion (delirium) may trigger incontinence abruptly, while progressive issues like dementia can slowly impair bladder control over time.
Read more: How Incontinence Can Impact Sexual Health
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Females
The treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly females depends on the cause and severity of the condition. The following treatment approaches are commonly utilised:
Behavioral Changes
Adjusting daily habits—referred to as behavioral changes—can be an effective approach to addressing stress and urge incontinence. These strategies include:
-
Bladder Training
Bladder training involves learning to control when and how often you urinate. This starts by keeping a detailed diary of your daily habits, including fluid intake and any pre-leak sensations. This information helps your doctor create a personalized schedule for bathroom visits. Over time, this practice trains your bladder to hold more urine by gradually increasing intervals between trips.
-
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles through Kegel exercises can improve bladder control. These exercises involve repeatedly tightening and relaxing the muscles used to stop urine flow, helping to counteract muscle weakness.
-
Quitting Smoking
Smoking often triggers coughing, which puts extra pressure on the bladder, leading to leaks. Additionally, prolonged coughing can irritate bladder muscles, making it harder to control urination. Quitting smoking reduces these risks.
-
Urgency Suppression:
This method helps manage sudden, intense urges to urinate. Techniques include mental distractions, deep breathing exercises, and practicing Kegels to delay the need to go.
Medical Devices
Various devices and procedures can help manage stress incontinence by addressing specific issues related to bladder control and support:
-
Urethral Insert:
A disposable device resembling a tampon, a urethral insert acts as a temporary barrier to prevent leaks during activities that trigger incontinence.
-
Vaginal Pessary
A ring-shaped device, the vaginal pessary supports the bladder if it has prolapsed (dropped). Inserted and fitted by a doctor, it can help manage incontinence and delay the need for surgical intervention.
-
eCoin Peripheral Neurostimulator System
This innovative device sends mild electrical pulses to stimulate the nerves controlling bladder functions, helping improve urinary control.
-
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS):
In this procedure, a small needle with an attached electrode is inserted near the ankle. The electrode delivers pulses to nerves at the base of the spine, which regulate bladder activity, reducing symptoms of incontinence.
-
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
A stimulator is implanted under the skin in the lower back near the sacral nerve. The device emits electrical signals that block bladder signals to the brain, strengthening pelvic muscles and improving blood flow to the bladder.
Bulking Agents
Bulking agents, such as collagen or carbon beads, are injectable fillers used to treat stress incontinence. These agents work by adding volume to the tissues surrounding the urethra, improving its ability to hold back urine. However, the effects are not permanent, as the fillers are gradually absorbed by the body, requiring periodic reinjection to maintain their efficacy.
Medication
For both stress and urge incontinence, estrogen replacement therapy, delivered as a cream or vaginal ring, helps by enhancing the tissues around the urethra to reduce leaks. For stress incontinence specifically, medications like pseudoephedrine are sometimes prescribed to strengthen urethral tone. For urge incontinence, a range of drugs is available to relax the bladder and reduce spasms that trigger sudden urges to urinate. Additionally, Botox injections may be used to relax an overactive bladder, providing relief from frequent and urgent urination.
Surgery
When non-surgical methods fail to treat stress incontinence effectively, surgical intervention may be recommended. These procedures often deliver high success rates and can significantly improve quality of life.
- Sling Procedure: This is a common surgical option where a supportive "hammock" is created using mesh or tissue to hold the urethra in place.
- Retropubic Colposuspension: This technique is used, particularly in cases of bladder prolapse. Sutures are employed to lift and support tissues near the bladder entrance.
Adult Diaper For Women
Modern adult absorbent pads and diapers are a game-changer for managing urinary incontinence. Designed to be discreet and comfortable, these products come in various styles like pads or panties, making them easy to wear throughout the day. For an extra reliable option, consider Friends Adult Diapers—they're soft, highly absorbent, and provide excellent protection, helping you go about your day with confidence.
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence can feel like a difficult hurdle, especially for elderly women, but there's plenty of hope. The treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly females involves a mix of lifestyle adjustments, medical treatments, and advanced support products, making the management of this condition more achievable than ever. From pinpointing the root cause to exploring tailored solutions like medications, devices, or even surgery, women can take steps toward regaining control and enhancing their quality of life. Modern advancements make it easier to address urinary incontinence with confidence and comfort.
Product Recommendations
FAQs
How do you treat urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is treated using lifestyle changes, medical devices, medications, or surgery, depending on its type and severity.
What can I drink to stop frequent urination?
For frequent urination, it's best to drink water as your primary beverage, avoid sodas, caffeine, and energy drinks, and spread out fluid intake by sipping water throughout the day between meals.
Can you live a normal life with incontinence?
If your incontinence is long-term, there are several effective ways to manage it, ensuring it doesn't interfere with your daily life.
Which fruit can stop frequent urination?
Bananas, grapes, coconut, apples and watermelon are excellent choices for those with an overactive bladder.
What is the best home remedy for frequent urination?
The best home remedy for frequent urination is modifying your diet. Add fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains, lean protein and fibre to your diet.
