What should be done about postpartum urinary incontinence in women?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Generally, women are prone to urinary incontinence after childbirth. Normally, due to the significant increase in uterine pressure during childbirth, which compresses the bladder, or damage to the anterior vaginal wall, postpartum urinary incontinence can occur. If urinary incontinence is confirmed, it is still necessary to observe temporarily. Postpartum urinary incontinence can generally last three to six months, and the bladder will recover to its pre-pregnancy state. During this period, it is best to wear thicker clothes and trousers, use a pad, and maintain cleanliness of the vulva. If the symptoms of urinary incontinence cannot be alleviated, it is still necessary to perform pelvic floor exercises or undergo symptomatic surgical treatment.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Why do lactating women experience urinary incontinence?

Under normal circumstances, postpartum women might experience mild urinary incontinence due to incomplete recovery of pelvic floor muscle function, which is within the normal physiological range. If urinary incontinence persists throughout the entire breastfeeding period, it is considered that there may be an abnormal illness. Due to the stimulating effect on the pelvic muscles during childbirth, it is easy for the pelvic floor muscles to become relaxed. If not properly repaired after childbirth, this can lead to urinary incontinence. Persistent urinary incontinence may affect normal life and work, requiring timely medical consultation and examination. If there are no other ways to improve, surgical repair treatment might be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can spinal inflammation urinary incontinence be cured?

Patients with myelitis often experience urinary incontinence because the condition affects the function of the autonomic nerves, which primarily govern the control of urination and defecation. Symptoms may include urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, or urinary retention. To treat urinary incontinence, it is first necessary to treat acute myelitis. Treatment must be timely, involving the administration of corticosteroids to suppress the inflammatory response and promote recovery from myelitis. Additionally, B vitamins should be administered to nourish the nerves and accelerate nerve repair. Moreover, adjunctive rehabilitation therapy is also crucial. For urinary incontinence, rehabilitation physicians may offer interventions such as acupuncture and training for the bladder sphincter muscle function. Most patients have a relatively good prognosis after treatment and can be cured.

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Written by Zhao Su Min
Obstetrics
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Is it normal to have urinary incontinence with morning sickness during pregnancy?

Morning sickness and urinary incontinence are considered normal phenomena. If severe nausea and vomiting occur after pregnancy, it could increase abdominal pressure, leading to stress urinary incontinence. This condition is thought to be caused by the relaxation of pelvic floor muscles. It is crucial to actively engage in pelvic floor rehabilitation after childbirth to aid the recovery of the pelvic floor, to prevent symptoms like urinary incontinence and leakage when coughing postpartum. The best period for pelvic floor recovery is between 42 days to six months after childbirth. Engaging in pelvic floor rehabilitation during this period is beneficial for recovery. The longer the delay, the slower and more challenging the recovery will be.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What to do about urinary incontinence in dementia in the elderly?

Dementia in the elderly is a degenerative neurological disease, and there are currently no particularly effective treatments. In the later stages, it is very common for the elderly to experience urinary incontinence. This is mainly because in the later stages, the autonomic nervous system is affected. Damage to the autonomic nerves leads to dysfunction of the sphincter muscles, resulting in urinary incontinence. Currently, there are no particularly good treatments for urinary incontinence caused by dementia, but some common methods are as follows. First, it is important to kindly remind and encourage the elderly to go to the bathroom frequently, asking every one to two hours whether they feel the need to urinate, which can help avoid urinary incontinence. Second, bathrooms must have conspicuous signs that are prominently placed to help the elderly locate the restrooms easily. Third, when necessary, the elderly can be given diapers to wear to avoid embarrassment from wetting their pants. Also, it's crucial to provide psychological comfort to the elderly and avoid causing them excessive psychological burden. Additionally, other causes must be ruled out. If there is a urinary tract infection or some other urinary system disease causing the incontinence, treatment of the primary disease should be undertaken.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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What are the clinical manifestations of urinary incontinence?

The clinical manifestation of urinary incontinence is primarily the involuntary leakage of urine, where the patient lacks the ability to control urination. Diagnosis mainly involves reviewing the patient's medical history and a physical examination, which in most cases is sufficient to understand the type and cause of the incontinence. A urodynamic test is crucial for a definitive diagnosis. The contents of the urodynamic examination include the assessment of bladder and urethral function. If a patient exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, they should visit the urology department of a hospital for formal evaluation and treatment.