Question
I experience urinary incontinence during coughing or straining, a symptom that started during pregnancy and has persisted for five years. I have never received treatment and am unsure of the specific disease. Which department should I consult? What kind of assistance do I need?
Answer
Urinary incontinence during coughing or straining is typically a manifestation of stress urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine when abdominal pressure increases (such as during coughing, laughing, burping, lifting heavy objects, brisk walking, or climbing stairs). It is recommended to visit a urology department for examination to determine the diagnosis. The treatment for stress urinary incontinence includes both non-surgical and surgical options. Non-surgical treatments are more effective for younger women with mild symptoms, including behavioral therapy, physical therapy, pelvic floor muscle training, functional electrical stimulation, and medication. Pelvic floor muscle training is a simple and commonly used method, involving the regular and conscious contraction and relaxation of anal and perineal muscles, i.e., clenching and relaxing the anus. Repeat this process about 20 times per set, performing 5 to 10 sets daily. The purpose is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and urethral muscles, which can stabilize symptoms in mild cases and improve surgical outcomes in severe cases without any adverse effects. If you suffer from severe stress urinary incontinence, you may require surgical treatment.