Who has Urinary Leakage?
Why do People Experience Urinary Leakage?
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Urinary Incontinence is an incredibly common issue experienced by people of all ages, all over the world. Presently, over 33 million people in North America alone experience different forms of Urinary Leakage. That means a quarter to a third of Americans share this condition.
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While it’s not indicator or an inevitability in your aging body, the rates of Urinary Incontinence heighten in people over the age of 65.rnWomen are more likely to experience Urinary Incontinence than man. While a low number of young women experience symptoms of Urinary Leakage, around menopause and postmenopause these numbers steadily rise. This condition is prevalent during and after menopause because of a decrease in estrogen. Women who have had more than one vaginal birth will also have a higher predisposition to Urinary Incontinence. During and after pregnancy, the bladder and pelvic floor muscles have experienced a good amount of pressure and can weaken. Pregnancy and childbirth may cause bladder control issues for other reasons as well for example damage to the nerves that control the bladder, the movement of urethra and bladder during pregnancy, and if an episiotomy (a cut made in the pelvic floor muscle to enable and easier birth) was made. Because of these considerations in female anatomy, women are more likely to experience Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence, over the other kinds.
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While Urinary Incontinence is found to be lower in men, the likelihood for men to experience severe leakage after the age of 70 is higher than in women. Again, even though older men are more likely to experience incontinence, that does not mean it is a normal part of aging. The most common form of Urinary Incontinence found in men is Overflow Incontinence. Men’s incontinence is generally related to diseases that cause bladder control issues, enlarged prostate, or surgeries made to treat issues with the prostate like prostate cancer. Men can also perform kegels to treat their incontinence, contrary to popular belief.
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Millions of people need help maintaining their incontinence. Whether it has impacted you or a loved one, this condition is very common and treatable. Talk to your doctor about your Urinary Leakage and find which treatment is best for you, it might be as simple as an adult diaper. You and your loved ones are not alone.