When Does Urinary Incontinence Increase With Age?

Urinary incontinence can happen at any age, including in your 20s. Stress and high-impact activities like running or jumping can trigger it, especially in younger people. That said, as you get older, the likelihood of experiencing incontinence increases. This is because the muscles that help you hold in pee can get weaker, and other health problems can also contribute to the issue. So, while it’s not just an “old person’s problem,” it does become more common as you age.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a type of incontinence that can hit you when you’re stressed or anxious. Dr. Sutherland, for example, says that she sees this a lot in college students, especially during stressful times like finals week.

Another group that can experience this issue is college athletes. Dr. McAchran mentions that activities that have a lot of impact—like running or jumping—can bring on SUI. But here’s the thing, scientists and doctors don’t fully get why this happens, especially in young people. They know it has something to do with the pelvic floor—the muscles that help you control urination—not working right, but the exact reason is still a mystery.

Now, let’s talk about age. While it’s true that you can face this problem when you’re young, it does become more common as you get older. That’s because as you age, your body changes. The muscles down there might get weaker, making it harder to hold in pee. Plus, older folks sometimes have other health issues that can make incontinence more likely.

Urinary incontinence in your 30s and 40s

When you’re in your 30s and 40s, you might start noticing that it’s a bit harder to hold in pee than it was when you were younger. This is because a bunch of things in life start catching up with you, and they can mess with your ability to control your bladder.

First, let’s talk about having kids. If you’re a woman who’s given birth, especially if you’ve had more than one baby and they were born through vaginal delivery, you’re more likely to deal with this. Why? Well, when you’re pushing out a baby, those muscles down there—called the pelvic floor muscles—can get weak or even damaged. So after childbirth, your body has to work harder to hold in pee, and sometimes, you might leak a bit.

But it’s not just having babies that can cause this. There are other factors too. For instance, if you’ve been coughing a lot for years because of asthma, smoking, or acid reflux, that extra pressure can also weaken those same pelvic floor muscles. The same goes for chronic constipation. You might think, “I can’t eat the same junk I ate in my 20s,” but if that leads to constipation, you’re adding more pressure and strain down there, increasing the risk of leaking pee.

Jobs can also play a role. If your job involves heavy lifting, you’re putting more strain on those pelvic floor muscles. Certain exercises can do the same. Basically, anything that puts stress or pressure on that area can make it harder to control your bladder.

Now, what can you do about it? The good news is there are treatments. The best one for you depends on what’s causing the issue. Doctors might suggest doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Sometimes, medication might be necessary. There are also gadgets like a urethral insert, which is a bit like a tampon that helps stop leakage, or a pessary, a silicone ring you put inside to help with control. If your bladder seems to have a mind of its own, there are behavioral techniques like training your bladder with the help of a physical therapist or urologist.

Urinary incontinence in your 50s, 60s, and beyond

Let’s talk about what happens with urinary incontinence as you hit your 50s, 60s, and beyond. In simple terms, it means that as you age, it can get tougher to control your bladder. So, why does this happen?

First up, everything down there gets weaker over time. We’re talking about the pelvic muscles, bladder, and the areas around it. For women, there’s another twist: menopause. When you go through menopause, your estrogen levels drop, which can irritate the bladder and other parts. Dr. Sutherland calls this an “overactive bladder phenomenon.” Even when there’s not much pee to let go of, your bladder acts like it’s going to burst, and you feel you gotta go NOW. The tricky part is that you might not get enough time to actually reach the bathroom.

Then there’s the issue of other health problems. As you age, you’ve got a higher shot at developing things like type 2 diabetes, certain brain issues, and even strokes. All these can mess with your ability to control your bladder. Dr. McAchran adds that injuries, like hurting your back, can also increase the risk. So it’s not just one thing; it’s a mix of many factors.

Dr. McAchran also talks about how incontinence becomes “multifactorial” as you age. That’s a fancy way of saying that a lot of things can pile up. Maybe you had some stress-related incontinence when you were younger. Add to that a bit of “urge incontinence,” where you feel like you have to go really urgently. Then imagine you hurt your hip and can’t rush to the bathroom like you used to. All these things combine, and you find yourself dealing with a complicated issue.

So, what does all this mean for you? It means that as you get older, you’ve got to be aware that a mix of factors can make it harder to control your pee. The weakening muscles, menopause for women, other health conditions, and even injuries can all play a role. Each person’s situation can be different because they might have a blend of these factors affecting them.

But here’s the good news: There are ways to manage this. Doctors have a range of treatments, and the right one for you will depend on what exactly is going on. You might need medication, pelvic floor exercises, or even devices that help keep everything in control. The point is, if you’re struggling with this, you’re not alone, and there are ways to make it better.

Treatment of Urinary incontinence in your 20s

Let’s go step-by-step on how to treat urinary incontinence when you’re in your 20s, especially the kind called Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) that can come up when you’re stressed or doing high-impact activities.

Step 1: Identify the Issue

First, realize you have a problem with leaking pee. Don’t ignore it; it’s more common than you think, even in young people.

Step 2: Find the Right Muscles

To get started with treatment, you need to figure out which muscles you should be working on. These are called your pelvic floor muscles. A quick way to identify them is to try to stop your pee midstream the next time you go to the bathroom. The muscles you use to do that are the ones you want to focus on.

Step 3: Understand the Kegel Exercise

Kegel exercises are designed to make those pelvic floor muscles stronger. The Mayo Clinic has a simple way to think about it: imagine you’re sitting on a marble. Now, use your pelvic muscles to lift that marble. That lifting action is what you’re aiming for when you do a Kegel.

Step 4: Do the Kegel Correctly

Once you know which muscles to use and how to do the exercise, it’s time to actually do it. But make sure you’re doing it right:

• Tighten your pelvic muscles (like you’re lifting the marble).
• Hold for three seconds.
• Relax.
• Repeat.

Step 5: Count and Repeat

You want to do about 10 to 15 of these Kegel exercises in one go. That’s one set.

Step 6: Frequency

You should aim for three sets of Kegels per day.

Step 7: Avoid Wrong Techniques

While doing Kegels, don’t hold your breath or tense up other muscles like your abs, thighs, or butt. The focus should solely be on those pelvic floor muscles.

Step 8: Make It a Routine

Consistency is key. Make these exercises a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth.

Step 9: Check Progress

After a few weeks of consistent exercise, check to see if you’re leaking less when you’re stressed or during activities. If you are, great! Keep going.

Step 10: Consult a Doctor if Needed

If despite doing all of this, you’re not seeing any improvement, it might be time to consult a healthcare professional for more advanced treatments, which might include medications or other devices.

So, to sum up: if you’re in your 20s and struggling with urinary incontinence, Kegel exercises can be a great first step to address the issue. They help strengthen the muscles that control your bladder, and they’re easy to incorporate into your daily life. Just make sure you’re doing them correctly and consistently for the best results.

The Best Incontinence Pads: Comfort, Breathability, And Absorbency Compared

The treatment path for 30s and 40s

Step 1: Acknowledge the Problem

First up, if you notice you’re having trouble controlling your bladder, don’t ignore it. This isn’t just an “old person” problem; it happens to younger adults too.

Step 2: Identify the Type and Cause

Not all incontinence is the same. You could have Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) from physical stress like lifting, or Urge Incontinence, where you suddenly have to go. Figuring out what triggers your symptoms will help tailor the treatment.

Step 3: Consult a Doctor

Get professional advice. Your doctor may suggest tests or simply ask about your symptoms and lifestyle to figure out the best treatment for you.

Step 4: Kegel Exercises

If Kegels are recommended, these are exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that help you hold in urine. You do this by contracting and releasing these muscles. Imagine you’re trying to stop your pee flow; those are the muscles you’ll want to engage.

Step 5: Consider Medication

If your doctor thinks it’s necessary, they might prescribe medication that can help control your bladder.

Step 6: Device Assistance

For some people, using a device might be the best option. This could be a urethral insert, which is like a tampon that prevents leaks, or a pessary, a silicone ring inserted into the vagina to support the area.

Step 7: Electrical Muscle Stimulation

This sounds fancy, but it’s a way to strengthen your pelvic muscles by using low electrical currents. It’s usually done under professional guidance.

Step 8: Behavioral Techniques

If your issue is an overactive bladder, you might benefit from ‘bladder training.’ A urologist or physical therapist can guide you on how to gradually extend the time between feeling the urge to pee and actually going to the bathroom.

Step 9: Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity can affect incontinence. Cutting down on caffeine, for example, might help. Keep an eye on what seems to trigger your symptoms and adjust accordingly.

Step 10: Monitor and Adapt

After you’ve started treatment, keep tabs on how it’s going. Are you experiencing less leakage? Great, keep going. If not, go back to your doctor for more options.

Step 11: Consider Surgery (Last Resort)

In extreme cases where nothing else works, surgical options may be considered. This is usually the last step and would be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.

So there you have it. Treating urinary incontinence in your 30s and 40s involves identifying the type and cause, consulting a doctor for a tailored treatment plan, and then applying various methods like exercises, medication, or even devices. Each person is different, so your treatment may include one or a mix of these methods. The key is to start early, keep track of your progress, and consult professionals for the most effective treatment.

The treatment path For the 50s, 60s beyond

Step 1: Recognize the Issue

First and foremost, acknowledge that you’re having a hard time holding your pee. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about; it happens to a lot of folks, especially as they age.

Step 2: Consult a Healthcare Professional

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They may recommend tests or discuss your lifestyle to understand what’s causing your incontinence.

Step 3: Understand Your Type of Incontinence

There are different kinds, like Stress Urinary Incontinence (when you cough, sneeze, or lift something heavy) or Urge Incontinence (sudden urge to pee). Knowing your type helps your doctor decide the best treatment for you.

Step 4: Bladder Training and Kegels

Your doctor may suggest starting with bladder training, which helps you control the urge to pee by setting intervals between bathroom visits. Kegel exercises might also be recommended to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.

Step 5: Consider Vaginal Estrogen

For women going through menopause, your doctor might suggest vaginal estrogen treatments. Menopause can make incontinence worse, and estrogen can help manage symptoms.

Step 6: Advanced Options

If simple treatments aren’t helping, more advanced options like Botox injections in the bladder or nerve stimulators can be considered. These treatments are for more serious cases and are usually supervised by healthcare professionals.

Step 7: Medical Devices

Sometimes, devices like a pessary can be inserted to help support your pelvic area and control leakage. These are usually for more severe cases.

Step 8: Reevaluate and Adjust

After trying these treatments for a certain period, check how you’re doing. Are the treatments helping? If not, consult your doctor again to discuss other options or adjustments to your treatment.

Step 9: Lifestyle Changes

Don’t underestimate the power of small changes. Eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol can all make a difference in managing incontinence.

Step 10: Surgical Options

If you’ve tried everything and nothing is working, surgery may be the last resort. The most common type mentioned is a mid-urethral sling, which supports the urethra to prevent leakage. It’s a more involved process and usually the last option to consider.

So, if you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and struggling with urinary incontinence, remember that you’ve got a variety of treatment options. These can range from lifestyle changes and exercises to medications and even surgery in extreme cases. The goal is to consult a doctor early, identify what type of incontinence you have, and then work on a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. And always remember: you’re not alone, and help is available.

Sources:

The relationship between anxiety and overactive bladder/urinary incontinence symptoms in the clinical population – PMC (nih.gov)

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00192-018-3629-z

The effect of childbirth on urinary incontinence: a matched cohort study in women aged 40–64 years – American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ajog.org)