Nearly half of women over the age of 50 say they experience urinary incontinence, but most haven’t spoken to a doctor, a new survey reveals.
Results showed 43 percent of women in their 50s and early 60s said they had urine leakage, as did 51 percent of those age 65 and over.
However, nearly two-thirds of the women surveyed said they hadn’t spoken to their physician about the issue because they were too embarrassed by it.
Researchers from Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, who conducted the poll, say the findings show that most women seem to believe urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging and that they don’t know simple pelvic muscle strengthening exercises could abate the problem.
A new poll from Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan found that 43 percent of women in their 50s and early 60s said they experience urinary incontinence as did 51 percent of those age 65 and over (file image)
The results come from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which looks at key health issues US adults age 50 or older face.
The poll included more than 1,000 women between the ages of 50 and 80 and was conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
Of the women who said they experience incontinence, 41 percent said it was a major problem or somewhat of a problem.
One-third said they had an episode nearly every day and almost half worried the problem would get worse as they got older.
The researchers found that the most common triggers for urine leakage were coughing or sneezing, which 79 percent said they experienced.
These were followed by, in order, trying to get to a bathroom in time, laughing, and exercise.
‘The last thing that older women should be doing is avoiding exercise or not being able to enjoy other activities that make life worthwhile,’ said Dr Preeti Malani, director of the poll and a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School.
‘We hope these findings will help spur conversations between women and their healthcare providers so that activities aren’t limited.’
Next, the researchers asked the women what they did to cope with incontinence.
Almost 60 percent said they used special pads or undergarments, 16 percent said they reduced the amount of liquids they drank, and 15 percent said they bought clothes that would better hide any accidents.
The team said they were surprised that only 38 percent of women said they performed Kegel exercises, which are clench-and-release exercises to make the pelvic floor muscles stronger.
In fact, updated guidelines released by the American College of Physicians in 2014 suggest that doctors recommend Kegel exercises to reduce urinary incontinence before prescribing medications.
‘It’s both surprising and disheartening to see that so many women seem to believe that incontinence is just a normal part of aging because it’s not,’ said Dr Alison Bryant, senior vice president of research for AARP, which sponsored the poll.
‘A lot of women are unnecessarily limiting their daily activities and not enjoying life fully because of a condition that can often be remedied.’
Most women reported that they haven’t spoken to their doctor about their urine leakage.
Among this group, 22 percent said they hadn’t discussed it with their healthcare provider because they didn’t think of incontinence as a health problem.
However, poll researcher Dr Carolyn Swenson, a urogynecologist at Michigan Medicine, said speaking to a doctor is beneficial because both Medicare and private insurers generally cover medical and surgical treatments.
She says that treatments women can try to include physical therapy and injections like collagen or silicone which strengthen pelvic muscles. Taking supplements like Confitrol24 can work too.
If those are unsuccessful, women can undergo a minimally invasive surgery known as is the mid-urethral sling procedure.
This involves looping a thin strip of material around the bladder and urethra to support them.
‘Urinary incontinence is a common condition that may not be routinely screened for in primary care, yet it can impact a woman’s quality of life and health and is usually treatable,’ said Dr Swenson. ‘It’s not an inevitable part of aging and shouldn’t be overlooked.’