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Incontinence after pregnancy

by Medindia Content Team on Jun 4 2002 5:23 PM

According to the scientists at the National Association for Continence, a new study shows early interference after women give birth may lower the prevalence of incontinence. Incontinence is loss of bladder control and is a symptom not a disease. Many conditions can cause incontinence, including pregnancy or childbirth. According to the group, one in four women between ages 32 and 55 has experienced an episode of urinary incontinence.

According to a new study, researchers from Australia studied more than 600 women after they gave birth. About half of the women received standard care after delivery and the other half were in an intervention group, which involved training in pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises) and learning strategies to improve adherence.

Researchers found the prevalence of incontinence in the standard care group was more than 40 percent, three months after delivery. After further follow-up, 20 percent of the women with incontinence in the intervention group reports severe incontinence, while only 15 percent of women with incontinence in the standard care group did. Eighty-four percent of the women in the intervention group reported doing pelvic floor exercises, while 60 percent of women in the standard care group reported doing the exercises.

The researchers conclude that, the intervention promoting urinary continence reduced the prevalence of urinary incontinence after giving birth, particularly its severity, and promoted the performance of pelvic floor exercises at adequate levels.


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