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| | | Q | | Why does menopause contribute to urinary incontinence, and what can I do to manage it? | | | | A | | Estrogen helps keep the tissues of the bladder and urethra healthy. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, these tissues can become thinner, drier, and less elastic. This can make it harder for the bladder to hold urine and for the muscles to keep urine from leaking. These changes are part of what doctors call "genitourinary syndrome of menopause," which includes symptoms like vaginal dryness, burning, and more frequent urinary tract infections.
Types of urinary incontinence: - Stress incontinence: Leaking urine when coughing, laughing, or exercising.
- Urgency incontinence: A sudden, strong need to urinate, sometimes with leakage.
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of both.
Most people can improve their symptoms with simple steps: - Pelvic floor muscle exercises, such as Kegels: Strengthening the muscles that support the bladder can help reduce leaks. These exercises are safe and effective for most people.
- Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a moderate weight, quitting smoking, managing constipation, avoiding too much caffeine, limiting alcohol, and drinking fluids in small amounts throughout the day may reduce symptoms.
- Bladder training: Scheduling bathroom visits and gradually increasing the time between trips can help the bladder hold more urine.
- Local vaginal estrogen: For people whose symptoms do not improve with exercises and lifestyle changes, using estrogen directly in the vagina (as a cream, tablet, or ring) can help restore the health of the tissues and reduce urinary symptoms. This treatment is different from taking estrogen pills, which may actually worsen incontinence. Vaginal estrogen is considered safe for most people and does not increase the risk of serious health problems when used at low doses.
If your symptoms are severe, do not improve, or are affecting your daily life, talk with a doctor. There are other treatments available, including medications for urgency incontinence and, in some cases, surgery for stress incontinence. Remember, urinary incontinence is common after menopause, and effective treatments are available. No one should feel embarrassed about asking for help. | | | | | | | | Do you have any questions for our menopause experts? Let us know at menopause@healthline.com, and the answer may be featured in an upcoming edition! | | | |
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