Urinary incontinence is a major health problem. It affects 20% of women between 35 and 65 years of age. A percentage that, from 75 onwards, exceeds 40%. But most women who suffer from it do not say anything because they are ashamed, or believe it is a natural consequence of age and/or of the pregnancies and births they have had. However, it is not “normal”, and many cases can be avoided if prevention measures are taken or resolved if properly treated. So, you must always go to the doctor, even if it’s very mild.
Causes of urinary incontinence
The causes can be very different: problems with the closure of the urinary sphincter, in coordination of the muscles of the bladder, in the functioning of the nerves or decline of pelvic organs (prolapse) due to lack of the pelvic floor tone. Therefore, it is essential that a specialist assess it to decide which treatment may be the best. If this is the case for you, you must consult your gynaecologist, who knows your medical history, so that they can carry out an initial assessment.
Physiotherapy and laser
The good news is that it can often be solved with the help of physiotherapy, as is the case in vaginal atrophy associated with menopause. In these cases, it is essential to first treat this problem, since they are closely linked. Laser is one of the options with which professionals operate, as well as other increasingly promising technologies. The use of this treatment increases the elasticity and consistency of the tissue, and it usually works very well in the event of problems with lack of tension and slight “stress” incontinence (when you “have a little accident” when running or doing an activity requiring physical exertion).
Some women are a little afraid of using it because it is a sensitive area. To clear up doubts, it is best to keep well-informed and ask questions. Laser treatment in these cases consists of applying small pulses of energy to the mucosa. The aim is to stimulate the production of collagen and regenerate the vaginal and periurethral area. It is performed on an outpatient basis and is practically painless. At our clinic we have a specialised Unit, the Regenerative Gynaecology Unit, which has been using it for quite a few years already.
In addition to helping to counteract urine losses, laser treatment has other positive effects: it recovers vaginal pH, improves the tone and lubrication of the vagina, reduces dryness and the predisposition to suffering from a vaginal prolapse and reduces discomfort during sex.
When do we start to see the results?
In general, two or three sessions must be held separately for a period of one month, although it depends on each case. It is also important to be aware that its effects are not “eternal. They can last between 6 and 12 months. It should be noted that the tissue deteriorates naturally over the years, and that the results depend on many factors: the cause of incontinence, the patient’s age, their medical history, their habits, weight, their activity, etc. Therefore, we must be very realistic with expectations. It is often advisable to combine laser treatment with other techniques to optimise results.
If you are interested in this subject, you have or believe you could have a problem of this kind, find out more. Regenerative gynaecology is a relatively new subspeciality of gynaecology that is sometimes associated only with aesthetic aspects, but it goes much further, as it can help treat physical and functional problems that have a significant impact on quality of life. So… don’t be embarrassed and take the plunge!
