How should female urinary incontinence be treated?

Female urinary incontinence is usually caused by childbirth injuries, obesity, medication effects, cystitis, stroke, and other factors. It can be treated through pelvic floor muscle exercises, a balanced diet, medication adjustments, and taking appropriate symptomatic medications. If abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Childbirth Injury

During childbirth, especially vaginal delivery, the passage of the fetus through the birth canal may excessively stretch and damage the pelvic floor muscles and fascia. This damage compromises the integrity of the pelvic floor structure, weakening the support for the bladder and urethra and reducing urinary control. Women can perform pelvic floor muscle exercises to strengthen the strength and endurance of these muscles, improve the tone of the urinary sphincter, and thus alleviate symptoms of urinary incontinence.

2. Obesity

Obese women tend to accumulate excessive abdominal fat, which increases intra-abdominal pressure. Prolonged high intra-abdominal pressure exerts downward pressure on the bladder and urethra, altering the normal anatomical position of the urethra and affecting pelvic floor muscle function. It is recommended to lose weight through proper diet and appropriate exercise to reduce intra-abdominal pressure and alleviate symptoms of urinary incontinence.

3. Medication Effects

Diuretics, sedatives, antidepressants, and similar medications may reduce the sensitivity of the urination reflex, preventing women from feeling the urge to urinate, or impair the contraction function of the bladder muscles, leading to urinary incontinence. Women can consult with their doctors to adjust or replace medications that may cause urinary incontinence.

4. Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder mucosa, usually caused by bacterial infection. The inflammation irritates the bladder mucosa, increasing its sensitivity, reducing bladder capacity, and causing urgency, which may lead to urgency urinary incontinence. Symptoms include urgency, frequency, and dysuria. In severe cases, hematuria and incontinence may occur. Patients can take medications such as levofloxacin tablets, cefuroxime axetil tablets, and nitrofurantoin enteric-coated tablets as directed by a physician to control the inflammation.

5. Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain suddenly ruptures or becomes blocked, preventing blood flow to the brain. This can affect the nervous system's control over the bladder and urethral sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence. Symptoms may include continuous urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. Patients can take medications such as aspirin tablets, warfarin sodium tablets, and piracetam tablets as directed by a physician for treatment.

In daily life, women should maintain a healthy lifestyle, improve dietary habits, engage in appropriate physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, and reduce the risk of disease.