Will Women Face Mental Health Issues Because of Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leak of urine caused by the loss of bladder control. Women with urinary incontinence experience high levels of depression and low self-worth.

Highlights:

Around one in ten women suffer from urinary incontinence
Women who had urinary incontinence were 66% more likely to report previously diagnosed depressive disorders
Urinary incontinence may also predispose people to skin and urinary tract infections

People with urinary incontinence experience many complications like urinary tract infections, skin problems, and sleep disorders. Loss of bladder control among women is associated with mental health problems, according to the findings of recent research presented at the European Association of Urology Congress, EAU21.

Professor Christopher Chapple, EAU Secretary-General, from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK, says: "Urinary incontinence is an extremely important clinical condition which is often not recognized by doctors until patients have been suffering for some time. It is important that patients with urinary incontinence are identified at an early stage after it develops and investigated and treated appropriately."

Stress Incontinence - Risk Factors / Causes
The risk factors that predisposes a person to develop stress incontinence are age, gender, recurrent childbirth, menopause, surgery and obesity.

‘Women who had urinary incontinence were 66% more likely to report previously diagnosed depressive disorders than those who did not have this health condition.’
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What is Urinary Incontinence, and Why Does It Matter?

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leak of urine caused by the loss of bladder control. Women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence than men due to the events like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. According to the findings of the Fourth International Consultation on Incontinence, almost half of all women leak urine at some point in their lives. Older men develop this condition as a consequence of prostate problems.

It is essential to seek medical advice if urinary incontinence negatively impacts your life by predisposing you to certain infections or restricting social interactions.

Quiz on Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common problem that especially affects older-aged individuals. Test your knowledge on urinary incontinence by taking this quiz.

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Women with Urinary Incontinence

Researchers from the University Hospital Centre of São João used the data of around 10,000 women aged 18 or above from a nationwide survey conducted by the Portuguese Health Ministry that records details about various health aspects of the respondents every five years. Other than the physical health conditions, the mental health details included in the survey were addictive behaviors, history of mental health issues, and previous psychiatric diagnosis and consultations underwent by the respondents.

After analyzing all these details, the team found that

Around one in ten women suffer from urinary incontinence
Four in ten women over 75 years of age experience loss of bladder control
Women who had this condition were 66% more likely to report previously diagnosed depressive disorders than those who did not have this health condition
They were also 65% more likely to experience difficulties while concentrating on any particular work and had a stronger sense of lower self-worth and guilt than their normal counterparts

"The high levels of depression and low self-worth in women who reported having incontinence are very concerning. Clinicians should be asking patients about their mental health when discussing treatments because treating their physical challenges could help with the psychological cost of the condition. Personally, I will be emphasizing this more with my patients and trying to understand better the mental burden of living with incontinence," said Margarida Manso, a urologist and lead investigator of the study.

Older Women and Urinary Incontinence Symptoms
As per new study Physical therapy interventions effectively reduce urinary incontinence symptoms in older women and should be a first-line treatment intervention for patients with this chronic condition.

Ways to Manage Urinary Incontinence

Do regular pelvic floor muscle exercises
Take your time and completely empty the bladder while urinating
Eat fiber-rich foods which can prevent constipation n – a cause of urinary incontinence
Quit smoking
Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeinated drinks

References :

Urinary incontinence - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808)
Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) - (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/definition-facts)
Urinary Incontinence - (https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-incontinence)

Source-Medindia

Urinary Incontinence - Symptom Evaluation
Urinary incontinence is loss of bladder control causing urine leakage. Severe urine leakage can happen when one coughs, sneezes, or during a sudden urge, where one is unable to visit the restroom in time.