Bio
It’s a common condition affecting women yet many choose to live with it for fear of treatment, and because it can be embarrassing. We are talking about female urinary incontinence.
Colleen Mellen, an APRN in the Urogynecology Division at Hartford HealthCare.
Q. Just how common is Urinary Incontinence in Women? What are the numbers?
A. The numbers are rather high. Bladder Control problems affect 30-50% of women. It is twice as common in women as in men.
Although rates of urinary incontinence increase with age, it is NOT a “normal” part of the aging process.
Q. Are there different types of Urinary Incontinence?
A. Yes.
• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) occurs in 1 out of 3 women over the age of 45 and 1 out of 2 women over the age of 65; it is loss of urine which occurs with straining activity such as coughing, laughing, sneezing or strenuous exercise.
• Urge Urinary incontinence (UUI) occurs in 15% of women and rates increase with age: it is loss of urine which occurs with an overwhelming feeling of urgency and the inability to hold urine long enough to reach the restroom.
• Mixed Urinary incontinence is both types of bladder control problems.
Q. Let’s talk about why women choose to live with this condition…
A. Women often think urinary incontinence is a normal part of the aging process and feel they must live with it. They may be too embarrassed to discuss incontinence with their primary care provider or gynecologist. They may think there are no treatments for urinary incontinence, or may fear that surgery is the only treatment option.
Q. But, there is help for women with Urinary Incontinence…what are the treatment options?
A. There are safe and effective treatments which range from: simple lifestyle changes, pelvic floor physical therapy, medications; office procedures or outpatient surgery. Treatments are individualized to each woman’s specific bladder control problem and her personal goals for treatment.
• 80-90% of women who seek help find that their symptoms improve.
• Discuss concerns with your health care provider. Call for an appointment with a Urogynecologist or Urologist.
• Start with lifestyle changes to improve bladder control:
o Stop smoking.
o Maintain normal weight.
o Reduce or eliminate bladder irritants such as caffeine, artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages, alcohol.
o Do not overload daily water intake.
o Strengthen pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises).
o Use good body mechanics for lifting or straining activities.
Q. There is an upcoming class tomorrow…can you please give us a preview of what participants can expect?
A. Yes. Urogynecologist, Dr Anna Pilzek, will present a detailed discussion of Urinary incontinence in Women: the different types and causes, treatment options and hold a question and answer session.
There is a free educational class called, “Urinary Incontinence in Women.” It will be held this Thursday February 27th at 6:30 p.m. in Glastonbury.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE.
Insurance Accepted*
Aetna, Anthem, BCBS Medicare, Cigna Healthcare, Colonial Cooperative Care, Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc., Connecticare, Connecticare Commercial, Connecticare Medicare, Corvel, Coventry, Essence Healthcare, Evercare, First Health Group Corp., Focus, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Connecticut, Health Direct, Health New England, Healthy Connecticut, HMC/ Northeast Healthcare, Medspan Commercial, Medspan Medicare, Multiplan, Northeast Health Direct, One Health Plan/ Great-West Healthcare, Oxford Health Plans, Prime Health Services, Private Health Care Systems, Inc., Senior Whole Health, United Healthcare, WellCare of Connecticut, Inc.