Stress incontinence is a form of incontinence. It involves involuntary loss of urine during physical exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or heavy lifting. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles—especially those that seal the bladder—are weakened. Physical exertion increases pressure in the abdominal cavity and consequently on the bladder, and the urethral sphincter temporarily becomes permeable to urine. In severe cases of stress incontinence, the sphincter can also relax for no apparent reason, such as when lying down. Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence in women.
Causes of stress incontinence
The root cause of stress incontinence lies in weakened pelvic floor muscles. The bladder sphincter, in particular, is weakened, so that when strained, it can no longer withstand the pressure, and urine is lost even though there is no actual urge to urinate.
The pelvic floor muscles perform a variety of functions in a woman's body. However, they can also be weakened for a variety of reasons.
The fact that women are more likely to suffer from stress incontinence is due, on the one hand, to their anatomy. The middle layer of the pelvic floor is perforated not only by the urethra but also by the vagina, making it more susceptible to disruption. On the other hand, a woman's pelvic floor muscles are subjected to greater stress over the course of her life than a man's.
The most common causes of stress incontinence in women are:
- pregnancy
- Vaginal birth
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy and menopause)
- Overweight
- Abdominal surgery
- Diseases (weak connective tissue)
Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of stress incontinence in women. As the child grows, the uterus enlarges, exerting increasing pressure on the organs and pelvic floor muscles. The pressure on the bladder can also lead to bladder weakness (stress incontinence) during pregnancy.
Another physically challenging task is vaginal birth. This involves severe stretching of the muscles, which sometimes even tear, or require obstetric interventions (e.g., an episiotomy).
The pelvic floor muscles usually recover after birth, but sometimes lasting damage can remain.
In most cases, targeted pelvic floor training after birth can promote and accelerate rapid muscle development.
Symptoms and consequences of stress incontinence
Stress incontinence results in involuntary and uncontrolled loss of urine.
There are three levels of severity. The degree depends on the type of physical exertion, i.e., the increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity:
Grade 1: Urine loss during strenuous exercise (e.g. laughing, coughing, sneezing, jumping, heavy lifting)
Grade 2: Urine loss during moderate exertion (e.g. standing up, sitting down, walking, running, climbing stairs)
Grade 3: Urine loss during very slight/no exertion (e.g. slight movements, at rest, lying down)
Treatment of stress incontinence
The good news is: Mild stress incontinence (grades 1 and 2) can usually be treated or even cured with conservative methods. The focus here is on strengthening the weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Conservative methods for treating stress incontinence:
- Pelvic floor training
- Regular exercises (with or without professional guidance) to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
- Support through training aids possible (e.g. vaginal cones, Pilates ring, seat cushion)
Biofeedback - Pelvic floor training with sensors that measure and visualize muscle contraction
- Electrical stimulation
- Stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles via painless electrical impulses
Weight loss - Relieving the pelvic floor by reducing excess weight
Only when conservative methods no longer help to treat stress incontinence are other methods considered:
- Medications
- operation
Accompanying pelvic floor exercises are usually always recommended. The duration depends on consistent and correct execution of the exercises, as this is the only way to sustainably build muscle tone and permanently relieve or even eliminate bladder weakness.
You can find various pelvic floor exercises in our exercise booklets for the pelvic floor training aids Phase I active, the Pilates ring and the seat cushion.
Always seek medical advice
Important note: This article contains only general information and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.
For dry and irritated skin in the intimate area, a suitable intimate care cream is the perfect choice. Our ELANEE Intimate Care Cream moisturizes the external intimate area thanks to valuable oils and regenerating panthenol, protecting it from natural influences such as moisture.
If vaginal dryness occurs during menopause, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause. Treatment may include hormone preparations, vaginal suppositories for lubrication , or moisturizing creams .
In order to enjoy sexual intercourse despite a dry vagina, there are various creams or lubricants that prevent painful friction.
Moisturizing creams can moisturize the external intimate area. Their ingredients soothe irritated skin and relieve itching. Moisturizing suppositories are available to nourish the mucous membranes and aid regeneration.
If you experience vaginal dryness before your period, there can be various reasons. Hormonal fluctuations, for example, or external factors such as stress, inadequate intimate hygiene, or menstrual products could be the cause. Use an intimate care cream to care for dry skin in the external intimate area. Before your period starts, you can also use vaginal suppositories to moisturize the vaginal mucosa. If vaginal dryness persists during your period, we recommend using menstrual cups . Unlike tampons, they don't need to be replaced as quickly and don't remove additional moisture from the vagina.
Vaginal dryness after childbirth is a normal side effect caused by hormonal changes. A drop in estrogen levels is particularly responsible for this. To alleviate the symptoms, appropriate intimate care products or home remedies can be used. In severe cases, estrogen supplements can also help regulate hormone levels. We recommend consulting your midwife or doctor.
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