[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/10\/incontinence-during-menopause\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/10\/incontinence-during-menopause\/","headline":"What to Do About Incontinence During Menopause","name":"What to Do About Incontinence During Menopause","description":"Does menopause cause incontinence? Here's what older women need to know about urinary continence during menopause \u2014 including how to treat the problem.","datePublished":"2023-10-03","dateModified":"2023-12-05","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-604354596.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-604354596.jpg","height":1152,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/10\/incontinence-during-menopause\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Women's Health"],"wordCount":1041,"articleBody":"During menopause, you might expect hot flashes, weight gain, and mood swings. One symptom you may not have anticipated? Urinary incontinence, or bladder leaks.Menopause urinary incontinence is common. But that doesn\u2019t mean you have to suffer silently through it. Here\u2019s a look at what causes incontinence during menopause, and how to treat it.Does Menopause Cause Incontinence?The hormonal changes of menopause often contribute to bladder problems. Here\u2019s why.Menopause happens when your ovaries no longer produce an egg every month and menstruation stops. Officially, menopause is 12 months after your last menstrual period. But symptoms of menopause may occur for years before that, during the time doctors call perimenopause.During perimenopause and menopause, your ovaries produce less and less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that is essential during puberty and pregnancy. It controls your menstrual cycle and helps keep your bladder and pelvic floor strong.When estrogen production decreases, several things happen.The lining of your urethra (the tube that passes urine out of the body) becomes thinner, making it weaker.Your pelvic floor muscles weaken.Your vagina becomes dryer, thinner, and less elastic.All these changes increase your risk of bladder leaks.Other Risk Factors for IncontinenceMenopause adds to your chances of developing incontinence, but it isn\u2019t the only reason for bladder leaks. Other risk factors include:Being overweight \u2014 carrying extra pounds puts extra pressure on the bladder. And the added weight can eventually weaken your pelvic muscles.Childbirth \u2014 your pelvic floor may already be weak or damaged from giving birth. If you had a difficult labor or delivery, or multiple pregnancies, your pelvic floor had more stress.Eating certain foods \u2014 some foods irritate the bladder and increase the possibility of leaks. Spicy, sugary, or acidic foods can be culprits. Drinks with caffeine and alcohol can aggravate the bladder as well.Medications \u2014 some antidepressants and pain medicines can affect your bladder and lead to more leaks.Nerve damage\u2014 some diseases that cause nerve damage can trigger urinary incontinence. These conditions include diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson\u2019s disease.Pelvic organ prolapse \u2014pelvic organs (the bladder, rectum, or uterus) can shift out of place and push into the vagina or anus. When this occurs, the bladder and urethra can\u2019t function properly and may cause urine to leak.Urinary tract infections (UTIs) \u2014 frequent UTIs weaken the muscles of your urinary tract and lead to incontinence.Types of Incontinence in Older WomenThere are two different types of menopause urinary incontinence. You may have more than one at a time (mixed incontinence).Stress incontinence \u2014happens when there is physical stress on the bladder. You may leak urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or move suddenly.Urge incontinence \u2014 sometimes called \u201coveractive bladder.” It happens when your brain tells your bladder to empty, even when it\u2019s not full. You have a strong, sudden urge to pee and might not make it to the bathroom in time.When You Should See a Doctor About Bladder LeaksYou should see your doctor when:Incontinence is interfering with work or family life.You feel you always need to be near a restroom.You\u2019re missing out on social activities or hobbies you enjoy because you fear urine leaks.You\u2019re waking up several times a night to go to the bathroom.You can see your primary care doctor for incontinence. They may refer you to a urologist, OB\/GYN, or urogynecologist. A urogynecologist is a doctor who specializes in disorders of the pelvic floor.There\u2019s no need to feel embarrassed about bladder leaks. It\u2019s important to speak up and get treatment. These specialists deal with incontinence every day.Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They may ask you to keep a diary for a few days to keep track of when you pee and when you leak urine. Your doctor may want to run the following tests:Bladder stress test \u2014 you cough or push down on pelvic muscles to see if you have urine leaks.Cystoscopy \u2014 a thin tube with a tiny camera goes into your urethra and bladder to look for damage.Ultrasound \u2014lets doctors see if a blockage in your urinary tract is causing leaks.Urine test \u2014 for lab workers to check for infections or other problems in your urinary tract.Urodynamic testing \u2014 your doctor inserts a tube into your bladder and fills it with water. They can then measure the pressure in your bladder to see how much fluid it can hold.How to Improve Bladder ControlJust because you\u2019re getting older doesn\u2019t mean you should accept bladder leaks as a way of life. Although urinary incontinence is common, it\u2019s not a normal part of aging. There are many treatments and therapies that can help you gain control of your bladder.Your doctor may suggest one or more of the following to help control leaks.Electrical stimulation \u2014 a physical therapist uses an electrical device to help activate pelvic floor muscles.Hormone therapy \u2014 boosting your estrogen levels may help with incontinence. An estrogen patch or vaginal cream may help strengthen your pelvic floor.Medications \u2014 your doctor may recommend a medication to help control leaks. These drugs help calm the nerves that tell your bladder to release urine.Pelvic floor therapy \u2014 Kegel exercises can help tighten and strengthen the pelvic floor. You repeatedly tighten and release the pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds at a time. You\u2019ll eventually work up to 10 sets of Kegels, three times a day.Pessary \u2014 this device helps hold the bladder in place. It\u2019s especially helpful if you suffer from pelvic organ prolapse.Surgery \u2014 as a last resort, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to help support your bladder and urethra.It\u2019s important to talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms and lifestyle. Together you can come up with treatment options that will work best for you.SourcesNational Library of Medicine, Urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women \u2014 causes, symptoms, treatment, LinkThe North American Menopause Society, Urinary Incontinence, Link\u00a0National Institute on Aging, Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults, Link\u00a0U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women\u2019s Health, Urinary Incontinence, Link\u00a0Urology Care Foundation, Urinary Incontinence, Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What to Do About Incontinence During Menopause","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/10\/incontinence-during-menopause\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]