SUI affects one in three women. Females commonly develop SUI after pregnancy or childbirth due to less support of the urethra. Constipation, obesity, chronic coughing, aging, smoking, or constant heavy lifting can also cause SUI.
The bladder holds urine as it fills up like a balloon. Acute pressure from vigorous activity or other stress events like sneezing unintentionally pushes urine through the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder.
Some women rarely leak, for example, only when sick with a cough, lifting occasional heavy objects or when the bladder has not emptied recently. Many leak with common activities such as laughing or walking. Women often limit themselves both physically and socially to avoid stress urinary incontinence. These females should consider treatment for their SUI if it impairs their quality of life. SUI is common but not normal if it hinders your active life and there are treatments to help you.