[Health Tip] Urinary Incontinence Causing Even Depression... "Get Timely Treatment"

Occurs in 40% of Domestic Female Population
Causing Shame and Embarrassment Leading to Depression

Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Sometimes, urine leaks involuntarily when coughing, laughing, lifting objects, or urgently needing to use the restroom. This is a symptom of urinary incontinence, which affects 40% of the female population in Korea. When urinary incontinence occurs, social activities can be restricted due to feelings of shame or embarrassment, and it can even lead to depression.

Urinary incontinence is most commonly classified into stress urinary incontinence, observed when coughing or lifting heavy objects; urge urinary incontinence, where urine leaks during urgent need to urinate; and mixed urinary incontinence, which combines both types. Other types include overflow incontinence caused by voiding dysfunction and functional incontinence related to dementia or mobility issues without urinary tract problems.

Urinary incontinence symptoms can appear regardless of gender or age but mainly occur in middle-aged women during menopause. It is estimated that there are 5 million urinary incontinence patients in Korea, and the number is increasing in the aging society with longer average lifespans. The main causes of urinary incontinence include weakening of the pelvic floor muscles supporting the urethra due to pregnancy, childbirth, and aging; decreased function of the urethral sphincter caused by nerve damage; neurogenic bladder from diabetic complications; acute and chronic urinary tract infections; and pelvic organ surgeries.

For diagnosis, medical history taking, digital rectal examination (for men), pelvic examination (for women), urodynamic tests, and maintaining a voiding diary to understand urination patterns are necessary.

Stress or Urge? Different Treatments Depending on the Cause

Treatment methods vary depending on the cause of urinary incontinence, so it is important to treat according to the cause. Treatment options include bladder training, pelvic floor muscle exercises, biofeedback, medication, and surgery.

Stress urinary incontinence mainly occurs due to weakening of the pelvic muscles supporting the bladder and urethra, and hyperactivity of the urethra and bladder neck. If symptoms are mild, improvement can be expected through weight loss and pelvic floor muscle training, but if urinary incontinence persists, a mid-urethral sling surgery is performed.

Urge urinary incontinence can result from detrusor muscle abnormalities, neurological disorders, or a combination of these. Urodynamic testing is used to closely observe bladder pathophysiology during urine storage and voiding. Along with bladder training and lifestyle changes, medication is used to control urination symptoms. If ineffective, Botox treatment can be considered.

Mixed urinary incontinence is treated by addressing the more severe symptoms first. Patients with mixed urinary incontinence often experience more severe symptoms and poorer treatment response compared to those with only stress or urge urinary incontinence. It is difficult to control symptoms with a single treatment, so all options from conservative treatments to medication and surgery must be considered.

To prevent urinary incontinence, it is recommended to consume sufficient fiber and reduce intake of caffeine-rich coffee and spicy or salty foods that irritate the bladder. Efforts should be made to maintain proper urination habits, and correcting obesity, quitting smoking, and treating constipation also help. Professor Kim Dong-su of the Department of Urology at Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "Although the first hospital visit and diagnostic tests for urinary incontinence may be cumbersome, it is a relatively easily treatable condition," adding, "Never hide it out of shame, but actively seek treatment to regain a vibrant life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.