Incontinence as a result of pelvic floor weakness

Incontinence as a result of pelvic floor weakness is treatable

The pelvic floor acts as a support for organs such as the intestines, uterus and bladder. With increasing age, its elasticity decreases - a weakening of the pelvic floor occurs. It is often only noticed when the result is uncontrolled loss of urine. This already affects women from their mid-thirties onwards.

Clinical picture and causes of urinary incontinence

In addition to its supporting function, the pelvic floor is responsible for tensing and relaxing the sphincters of the urethra and intestines. If the elasticity of the pelvic floor decreases, pelvic floor weakness develops. It has been shown that in many women the cause is a hereditary weak connective tissue. Women who have had several children within a short period of time are also affected. The symptoms are abdominal pain and cramps, but these can also be absent. The occurrence of incontinence with its unpleasant side effects is particularly unpleasant. Urinary incontinence due to pelvic floor weakness varies in severity

pronounced. Sometimes it is only small amounts that are lost involuntarily, but larger urine losses are also possible.

The types of urinary incontinence in pelvic floor weakness

There are different types of incontinence with different causes. If there is existing pelvic floor weakness, these two types occur in particular:

• Stress incontinence: Urine loss occurs during physical exertion such as intensive exercise, carrying heavy loads, but also through coughing and sneezing.
• Overflow continence: Complete emptying of the bladder is no longer possible. When new urine is formed, the bladder overflows.

In both cases, prolapse of the bladder or uterus is the most likely cause. Diagnosis of pelvic floor weakness

The cause is clarified as part of a gynecological examination. Here the condition of the pelvic floor is examined and it is checked whether the uterus and vagina have lowered. A cystoscopy and bladder pressure measurement provide information about the function of the urinary tract. As a supplementary diagnostic procedure, the kidneys, the urinary bladder and the urinary tract extending from it are examined using ultrasound.

Treatment of pelvic floor weakness

Since the cause of incontinence is the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, therapy will primarily focus on:

• Pelvic floor relaxation exercises
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Training the sphincter (bladder training)

If conservative methods are not successful, modern surgery has several treatment options available:

• Stabilization of the urethra through an injection of hyaluronic acid
• Supporting the urethra from below with a synthetic ligament (ligament surgery)
• Bridging weak points using the body's own tissue to compensate for subsidence in the pelvic floor.
• Insertion of implants into already very weak tissue

The use of special insoles when there is urinary incontinence provides security until the therapy is completed and the treatment is successful.