Coping with Stress Incontinence

Episodes of urine leakage can affect your home and work life, but there are ways to overcome the challenges.

A sneeze. A cough. A laugh. Moving too quickly. Lifting too much weight. Any of these can trigger stress incontinence, causing a person to uncontrollably leak a small amount of urine.

And since these triggers are all things that occur regularly throughout life, people with stress incontinence can find it very difficult to maintain a normal work and social life. This is particularly true of women, for whom stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence.

Stress incontinence does not have to force you to withdraw from work, friends, and family, however. There are ways to protect yourself from urine leakage, and ways to communicate your problem to co-workers, friends, and loved ones.

Stress Incontinence and Work

Researchers have found that urinary incontinence can affect your work life, especially if you are suffering from severe incontinence. A recent study revealed that two out of every five women with incontinence had leaked urine on the job during the previous month. That same study revealed that women with severe incontinence said they had trouble concentrating, performing physical activities, maintaining their self-confidence, and completing tasks.

There are ways to avoid embarrassment from stress incontinence while on the job. They include:

• Using absorbent pads or undergarments to protect against leaking. Be sure the pads contain odor-controlling material.
• Limiting your physical activity to avoid placing stress on your bladder.
• Taking frequent bathroom breaks to keep your bladder empty.
• Strengthening your bladder control by performing Kegel exercises at home.

You must discuss your stress incontinence problem with your employer, particularly if it is severe. Otherwise, you might face criticism for poor concentration or taking too many breaks. And keep in mind that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ruled that employers cannot place unreasonable restrictions on employees’ use of toilet facilities, especially if the employee is suffering from a medical condition.

Stress Incontinence and Social Life

 

So much of life involves physical activity that can cause stress incontinence. At least half of women who exercise regularly are at risk for developing stress incontinence, and athletes in high-impact sports are more likely to report stress incontinence symptoms than those participating in low-impact sports.

Sports that can increase pressure on the bladder, and make stress incontinence more likely, include:

• Martial arts like judo or karate.
• Team sports like basketball or volleyball.
• Horseback riding.
• Body building with heavy weights.
• Track and field.

On the other hand, there are a number of sports that carry little risk of stress incontinence, including:

• Bicycling.
• Swimming.
• Rowing.
• Walking.
• Low-impact aerobics.
• Activities in which at least one foot is on the floor at all times.

Social activities that lead to stress on the bladder, like very active dancing, should be avoided unless you're wearing absorbent pads.  When attending a social event, you might want to limit your fluid intake and go to the bathroom just before leaving for the occasion.  Dark clothing also can help you mask any inadvertent leaking.  Finally, don't be afraid to talk about your problem with friends and loved ones.  They will accept what you tell them with understanding and good humor.

By Dennis Thompson Jr.  Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH