Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine at moments when intra-abdominal pressure rises, such as when you cough, sneeze, laugh, jump or lift something heavy. It is usually linked to weak pelvic floor muscles.

Yes, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken after childbirth. But instead of accepting it as "normal" and putting up with it, you can restore the function of these muscles with the right physiotherapy.

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken or can no longer support the bladder neck well enough. At moments when intra-abdominal pressure rises, such as coughing, sneezing or laughing, the bladder leaks urine involuntarily.

• Leaking urine when you laugh, cough or sneeze

• Leaking when you climb stairs, run or jump

• Feeling that you are leaking when you lift something heavy

• Leaking that happens only with physical strain, without any difficulty getting to the bathroom in time

Estrogen levels drop with menopause. This weakens the pelvic floor tissues and can reduce the support of the bladder neck. That is why urinary incontinence complaints may increase after menopause.

Yes. Excess weight puts constant pressure on the pelvic floor, which can weaken the muscles over time. Weakened muscles struggle to cope with sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure.

Some women have genetically less elastic connective tissue. This can increase the risk of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Frequently urinating “just in case” can gradually reduce your bladder capacity and become a habit. This has a negative effect on bladder awareness. Ideally, you should go to the bathroom when your bladder signals that it is full. With physiotherapy, we can rebuild this awareness.

No! Exercise should not disappear from your life. However, it is very important to adapt your workouts so they support your body, to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and to move with the right breathing and posture. I give you personalized guidance on this.