Incontinence can be more common in women because the length of a woman's urethra is short compared to men. Bryndee Nichols, DPT, physical therapist at MercyOne Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, walks through incontinence and what physical therapy can do to help.
What is incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the inability to hold urine. It’s a common problem for women as they grow older, especially around 10 to 15 years after you’ve had your last child.
What are the types of incontinence?
There are several types of incontinence:
- Stress incontinence occurs when you increase abdominal pressure. Urine will leak when you are laughing, running, crying or doing anything that could put pressure on your bladder.
- Urge incontinence causes you to have an urgent need to urinate with little buildup. You may have to use the bathroom often or at an inappropriate time.
- Mixed incontinence combines the symptoms of stress and urge incontinence.
If you are experiencing incontinence, your primary care provider, gynecologist or midwife can discuss treatment, which can include physical therapy or surgery.
What should I expect if I go to a physical therapist?
“The first thing we will do is discuss your medical history and your main concerns,” said Nichols. “We will also need to perform a medical assessment. It will start with a typical orthopedic exam looking at your posture, motion and the strength of your back and hips.”
Then, the therapist will perform an internal exam to determine the muscle strength of your pelvis. Your therapist will be able to use this information to create a personalized care plan for you.
“Women's health issues can be uncomfortable to admit or discuss, but I'm very sensitive to each patient's situation and will assess and treat at a pace that is comfortable for everyone.”
How long will the therapy take to work?
When treating incontinence, Nichols says treatment will be slow. “The typical treatment time is around three months if you are going to therapy a few times a week. Every case is different so treatment time may vary.”
Can physical therapy help with any other pelvic issues?
Yes! In addition to incontinence, therapists may be able to help with painful intercourse, pelvic pain, bladder prolapse, and pain during pregnancy and postpartum. Your primary care provider and gynecologist can also help make a personalized treatment plan.
