How many of you have a habit of reading body language? If yes then you might have surely noticed a lot of women keep their legs cross when sneezing. It is definitely not the moment for a selfie; in fact, many women find it extremely uncomfortable when coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects.

One of the most prevalent health issues following pregnancy is urinary leakage. The most amazing thing a woman can do is give birth. However, postpartum might be a bit challenging to manage without the right support.

Due to hormonal changes and a weak pelvic floor, women who have just given birth to a child may develop urinary leakage, also known as postpartum urinary incontinence.

The pelvic floor stretches further than usual with a typical vaginal birth. As a result, the pelvic region tears or is more frequently a little weak and elastic, which usually leads to urinary leaks after sneezing, coughing, stretching, running, or lifting heavy weight.

Did you know? Postpartum urine incontinence affects one in three women, and they plan to put up with it. But in reality, women shouldn’t ever compromise on this disorder. There are several medical treatments available that can help overcome such embarrassing moments and enjoy social life.

To some extent, pelvic exercises and specific lifestyle modifications are the best at-home remedies for post-pregnant women. Therefore, stop crossing your legs when you cough or sneeze. Instead of just putting up with it, get aid and advice from a doctor or health professional.

Urinary leakage in women is not exclusively caused by postpartum urinary incontinence. Women often leak urine for a variety of reasons, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence.

Here is a brief overview of the above-mentioned types of female incontinence

Stress Incontinence
With growing age, the body doesn’t stay the same; it undergoes both internal as well as exterior changes. One effect of aging is a drop in estrogen levels. However, a decrease in estrogen levels in the body might damage the tissues that keep urine from leaking. Such incontinence is common in older women who frequently leak when they cough, sneeze, lift heavy objects, or exercise.

Urge Incontinence
One who cannot hold pee or experience a sudden intense urge to urinate even after satisfactory urination happens due to an overactive bladder. Due to numerous contractions of the bladder muscle wall, most experience a need for urination even after the bladder is partially full.

Urge incontinence can also be caused by illnesses including recent heart attacks, Parkinson’s, cancer, or urinary tract infections in addition to old age.

Overflow Incontinence
It is completely opposite where the bladder is not able to empty completely. Any obstruction to the tube that passes urine out of the bladder can cause overflow incontinence and a dribble of urine.

Health disorders such as diabetes, prostate surgery or medications like narcotic painkillers and sedatives are major reasons for this.

Cause of Incontinence
Until medical examination, it is hard to determine the root cause of incontinence. But certain day-to-day habits, health disorders, physical issues, post pregnancy and medicine intake is a common reasons for women’s incontinence

There are two different types of urinary incontinence. Temporary urinary incontinence and other Persistent urinary incontinence.

The main cause of temporary urinary incontinence are:

Food that is high in spices, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits
Certain sedatives, and muscle relaxants
Medications
Excessive vitamin C
Caffeine
Alcohol
Urinary tract infection
Constipation

Cause of Persistent urinary incontinence

Childbirth
Pregnancy
Aging
Menopause
Obstruction
Neurological Disorders

What are some complications faced by Urinary Incontinence
Skin disorders: Women who regularly leak urine are more likely to develop skin problems. Due to wet skin, there are chances of developing rashes, skin infections and sores

Social Distancing: Women who face urinary incontinence are more likely to easily leak when sneezing, coughing, exercising, running or lifting weights. This makes them more embarrassed and is also one major reason for women to cut down socially.

Thanks to advancements in the healthcare sector determining the root cause of urinary incontinence is a bigger challenge. All you need to do is a visit to a doctor and he may recommend the following tests to identify why a woman is experiencing urinary incontinence?

Tests to identify urinary incontinence

Urinalysis: Examining the urine for traces of infection, blood or any other abnormalities.

Note: Keep a note on the amount of water intake after urine, the amount of urine passed after water intake, etc. The final report of several days helps determine the severity and treatment option.

Leftover Urine Test: A woman is said to urinate in a measuring container and the amount of urine left in the bladder is tested with a catheter or ultrasound test. If the leftover amount is more than the normal level then there are chances that your urine tube is obstructed or your bladder nerves/muscles need medical help.

Now that there is so much to know about urinary incontinence. Let us look down for some remedies that work absolutely fantastic when it comes to dealing with urinary incontinence.

Remedies to urinary incontinence

Diet management
Make sure to cut down on fluid-containing food that contains a high amount of water level. Try not to consume alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. This has worked on a lot of women.

Schedule Management
Schedule time intervals for urination and make sure to follow for a few days. Instead of waiting long hours for urination empty your bladder after every two to three hours.

Avoid Overflow
To avoid overflow incontinence make sure to wait for some time after complete urination and apply a little force on the pelvic to remove the remaining.

Delay Urination
Delay the urination process by holding it for at least 10 mins. Gradually increase the time interval as you grow your confidence and control over holding urine. A healthy young woman intends to urine every 3 hours to 4. So make sure your break time does not exceed its limit.

Pelvic Floor Exercise
We are not going deep down on the different forms of exercises that can help restore pelvic strength. Our main cause is to restore strong pelvic muscles so accordingly contact a health physician.

If these simple tips to overcome urinary incontinence do not work then a doctor may recommend Electrical stimulation, inserting medical devices such as Urethral or Pessary, Interventional therapies, surgery or medication.