Stress urinary incontinence (SUI or stress incontinence) is a common concern for many women, especially during and after menopause. This condition, characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising, can significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, there are effective strategies and solutions available to treat stress incontinence and a weak pelvic floor, including innovative products like Flyte.

Understanding Stress Incontinence and Menopause

Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring in the late 40s to early 50s but occurring in some women into their 60s. During this period, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes, primarily a decrease in estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength and elasticity of the pelvic floor muscles and the tissues that support the bladder and urethra. As estrogen levels drop these tissues may weaken, leading to stress incontinence.

Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the bladder and urethra weaken, causing urine leakage when pressure is exerted on the bladder. This can happen during activities such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects (i.e. groceries or grandchildren).

Effective Strategies to Treat Stress Incontinence

The International Continence Society Guidelines indicate urinary incontinence treatment should begin with conservative options such as physical therapy and behavioral therapy. Significant research supports the treatments of physical therapy and pelvic floor exercises as first-line treatments. Surgery should only be discussed if conservative treatments are unsuccessful.

1. Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)

Pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegels, are one of the most effective ways to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra. Regularly performing these exercises can improve muscle tone and reduce the incidence of stress incontinence. Here's how to do Kegels:

• Identify the right muscles: To locate your pelvic floor muscles, imagine stopping urination midstream (but do not actually practice this during urination) or holding back gas. These are your pelvic floor muscles. This does not include muscles in your buttocks or inner thighs, which should not contract during Kegels.
• Contract the muscles: Squeeze and lift your pelvic floor muscles and hold for about 5 seconds, over time working up to a 10 second hold. Avoid holding your breath.
• Release: Relax the muscles for another 3-5 seconds.
• Repeat: Aim for 10 repetitions, three times a day.
• Looking for a way to amplify your pelvic floor exercises for faster results? Try Flyte.
• Need more help? Visit our Kegel how-to guide.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight can put additional pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, exacerbating stress incontinence. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce this pressure and alleviate symptoms. Research finds that each 5-unit increase in body mass index was associated with a 20%-70% increase in risk of urinary incontinence, and weight loss of 3-5% can lead to a 47% reduction in symptoms.

3. Bladder Training

Bladder training involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to improve bladder control. Start by going to the bathroom at set intervals, such as every hour, and gradually extend the time by 15-30-minute increments. This technique can help increase bladder capacity and reduce the frequency of urine leakage. The goal is to get to a normal voiding schedule of every 2-4 hours. This will reduce your risk of stress incontinence.

4. Dietary Modifications

Certain foods and beverages can irritate the bladder and worsen urgency, frequency, and incontinence. These include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic foods. Reducing or eliminating these triggers from your diet can help manage symptoms. More detailed information can be found in Sip smarter by learning to manage these 4 bladder irritants.

5.Stay Hydrated

While it may seem counterintuitive, staying hydrated is essential for managing incontinence. Dehydration leads to concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder. Aim to drink enough water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. A good daily goal is eight 8-ounce glasses or 50% of your body weight in ounces.

6. Hormone Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or topical estrogen cream can be beneficial for many women. Hormone therapy improves symptoms related to menopause, improves vaginal tissue quality, reduces dryness and irritation of the vagina and vulva, and improves function of the pelvic floor muscles.

HRT, including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, is shown in new research to be a safe and effective treatment for menopause symptoms and has protective benefits on the heart, bones, genitourinary system, and brain. Hormone therapy is also now shown not to be associated with increased risk of heart disease or breast cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if hormone therapy is right for you. 

Urinary Incontinence and UTIs

Urinary incontinence and the use of incontinence pads are a risk factor for developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The UTI rate in women with urinary incontinence is 25% and 41-50% of these women have recurrent UTIs. 

By treating urinary incontinence quickly and effectively, Flyte reduces the risk of UTIs and recurrent UTIs.

The Benefits of Flyte

For those seeking an effective, convenient, conservative solution for treating stress incontinence, Flyte offers clinically proven new option. Flyte is a non-surgical treatment solution proven in two published trials to deliver outcomes comparable to surgery in an in-home treatment. Here are some key benefits of Flyte:

1. Clinically Proven Results

Flyte has been clinically proven to eliminate or reduce symptoms of stress incontinence. In two clinical studies, women who used Flyte experienced surgical level results without the risks associated with surgery, in only 5 minutes a day for 6 weeks.

2. Convenient and Easy to Use

Flyte is designed to be used in the comfort of your own home. The device is easy to use and requires just five minutes of daily use for effective results. This makes it a convenient option for busy women who may not have time for lengthy treatments or frequent visits to a healthcare provider.

3. Non-Invasive and Safe

Flyte is an at-home, non-invasive treatment option, meaning it does not require surgery or other invasive in-office procedures. This reduces the risk of complications and eliminates the recovery time associated with surgical options.

4. Amplification of Gold Standard Treatment

When superimposed on active contractions, Flyte has been shown in research to magnify the benefits pelvic floor exercises by 39 times, meaning you see results faster. This innovative device strengthens and tones your pelvic floor muscles, addressing mild, moderate, or severe stress incontinence.

5. Improves Quality of Life

By effectively treating stress incontinence, Flyte can significantly improve your quality of life. You can regain confidence and enjoy activities without the fear of urine leakage. This can lead to a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While the strategies mentioned above can be effective in treating stress incontinence, it is important to seek medical advice if you experience severe symptoms or if your condition does not improve with at-home treatments. A healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause of your incontinence and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include medication, physical therapy, or surgical options.

Conclusion

Stress incontinence is a common concern for women during and after menopause, but it can be effectively treated with the right strategies and treatments. Pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, bladder training, dietary modifications, and staying hydrated can all help reduce symptoms and improve bladder control. Additionally, innovative solutions like Flyte offer a convenient, non-invasive, and clinically proven option for effectively treating stress incontinence at home. By taking proactive steps and seeking appropriate treatments, you can regain control and enjoy a better quality of life during and after menopause.

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