You Shouldn’t Have to Cross Your Legs When You Sneeze

For some women, urinary incontinence rules their lives. From making it difficult to play with kids to attending a work outclass in fear of an accident, bladder control issues are disruptive and anxiety inducing.

If this describes the embarrassing experience you have with physical activity or simple daily tasks, know that you are not alone. Living with urinary incontinence is common in women, but it doesn’t have to be tolerated or derail your life. In fact, more than half of women over 20 years of age in the U.S. reported any urinary leakage, yet less than 50% of those suffering seek care for urinary incontinence, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In some cases, the root of the problem may be caused by pelvic prolapse, or pelvic floor dysfunction, meaning the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic area loosen and slip down from the usual position, causing uncomfortable pressure, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or even fecal incontinence. This issue can also be corrected with a simple gynecological procedure by a local OB/GYN.

Although surgery is not the first in the line of treatment, should it be needed, the surgery can be done as a procedure to support and help reconstruct the pelvic floor and correct the incontinence issues. During the procedure, a midurethral sling is placed under the urethra to support it. This is the gold standard for this procedure.

This weakness of the pelvic floor muscles, which usually tends to happen as women age, with pregnancy and with certain pelvic floor conditions can be painful and uncomfortable. Additionally, as the muscles become weak, it becomes easier for there to be unwanted leakage or other issues to arise.

We have treatment options here in our community. You don’t have to suffer alone and you don’t have to leave SWLA to get help.

The healthcare team at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, including myself and my fellow physicians, have worked hard to build a strong reputation in the Lake Charles and southwest Louisiana community for providing high quality OBGYN and Women's Health services. Through my years of training, research and experience of performing this procedure, I've had the honor of watching my patients regain a sense of normalcy and experience life without the fear and hassle of urinary inconvenience.

Although you can’t always prevent developing urinary incontinence, you may be able to lower your risk by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles and staying at a healthy weight throughout your adult life. If you begin to experience unwanted symptoms or discomfort, an appropriate evaluation is necessary to determine the type and cause of the problem. Urinary incontinence may be common, but it shouldn’t be normal.

We're here to help. I'd love to speak to you more about. Schedule an appointment so we can discuss more - remember, you don't have to cross your legs when you sneeze.

337.480.5510

1890 West Gauthier Rd, Suite 135

Lake Charles, LA 70605