Young Women Not Exempted From Stress Urinary Incontinence

You are in you 30’s, you have maintained the ideal weight, you have not given birth nor went through pregnancy, and you do not suffer from any medical conditions. Getting stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a pelvic floor disorder that affects over 18 million American women, may be far from your mind. You may take comfort in your observation that women who are getting representations for their vaginal mesh lawsuits are mostly in their middle ages. These are mostly the women who suffered from SUI and were unfortunately injured when they decided to undergo SUI treatment with the use of vaginal mesh slings.

 

While it may be true that incidence of SUI and other pelvic floor disorders are higher among older women, this is no reason for younger women to be complacent. Young women also face the possibility of developing this common disorder even without being exposed to the leading risk factors. In fact, one study conducted in Australia found that 13 percent of women between the ages of 16 and 30 years reported episodes of urine leakage. Studies carried out in the United States yielded similar results.

 

Going over the results of the study, researchers were able to come up with the possible reasons for the occurrence of this urinary problem. The more common causes identified were hereditary factors, present lifestyle, and those related to sports activities.

 

Like other medical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, pelvic floor disorders, particularly SUI, may also be inherited. Children of parents who suffered SUI would likely get this disorder and it may occur sooner than expected. This has been supported by various studies that found a genetic link in the development of this ailment.

 

Especially for those who have a very active social life, the early onset of SUI may be very likely. Alcohol and smoking are factors that have been recognized as triggering SUI. Smoking may bring about frequent coughing which in turn may exert pressure on the bladder. Alcoholic beverages are known diuretics that may have a huge impact also on the bladder. The same is true for certain foods and other drinks that may irritate the bladder.

 

It was reported that 20 percent of the young women diagnosed with SUI may have acquired the disorder as a result of their participation in sports or other physical activities. This was more pronounced on women who were into high-impact sports such as diving, jumping, and even marathon. The stress involved in these activities may contribute to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues that provide support for the bladder and urethra.

 

Young women, who are in the prime of their lives, do not have to suffer this life-changing disorder at this stage of their life. This may be prevented by addressing the risk factors mentioned. In addition, it is never too early to start practicing the Kegels – pelvic floor exercises that have been proven to be very effective in preventing and managing SUI.

 

References:

consumer.healthday.com/senior-citizen-information-31/age-health-news-7/incontinence-affects-young-childless-women-too-666623.html

abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2011/11/17/3367126.htm#.UY7C06Lvu84