Female Urinary Incontinence Is Common: Here's Why — and Here's How We Can Help

Did you know that around 6 in 10 women have bouts with urinary incontinence? If you're struggling, we at Urology Specialists of Cypress understand what you're going through.

Empathetic, highly knowledgeable board-certified urologist Dr. James Stocks heads up a caring team that strives to make female urinary incontinence understandable and manageable for all women in the Cypress, Texas, area.

Far too many women assume urinary incontinence is something they have to deal with as they age. That's simply not true when you have knowledge and expert urology care on your side.

Here, we answer why women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence and discuss how we can help.

Why women get urinary incontinence more

Stress urinary incontinence happens with exertion. For example, when you sneeze, you can have an overwhelming urge to urinate suddenly. Often (but not always), this leads to bladder leakage because there's not enough time to reach the bathroom.

Women have a few factors working against them when it comes to urinary incontinence risk, including:

Estrogen loss in menopause

Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining the health, strength, and elasticity of the female urinary system. In menopause, it plummets to an all-time low. 

When estrogen levels decline, these tissues can begin to thin and weaken. This loss of support may contribute to urinary issues, including increased urgency, frequency, incontinence, and a higher risk of urinary tract infections. 

Without adequate estrogen, the urinary system becomes more vulnerable to strain and irritation, making hormone balance an important factor in long-term urinary and pelvic health. This makes it harder to hold urine and increases the risk of leaks.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts extra pressure on the bladder, so leaks can be common, especially as birth of the baby approaches.

Vaginal childbirth places significant stress on the pelvic floor, which can lead to damage in the muscles, connective tissues, bladder, or nerves that support bladder control. This pressure may result in lasting changes to how the pelvic organs function. In some cases, women develop pelvic organ prolapse — a condition where the bladder, uterus, or rectum shifts downward from their normal positions. 

However, even in the absence of prolapse, many women experience lingering urinary incontinence after pregnancy. These symptoms can include leaking during physical activity, sudden urges to urinate, or difficulty fully emptying the bladder.

Anatomy differences

Women have a short urine tube (urethra). So, if bladder control weakens due to hormone changes, pregnancy, or any other reason, leakage is far more likely than in a man.

Treatments for women with urinary incontinence

Women have many options for urinary incontinence, including:

• Pelvic floor therapy
• Bladder training (scheduling voiding)
• Medications to calm bladder spasms and reduce urgency
• Estrogen therapy (topical, oral, injected, pellets, or other types)
• Insertable device (pessary) to support your bladder

These are only some of the most common treatments available for women struggling with involuntary urine loss. We’re here to guide you to a long-term solution for urinary incontinence.

Urology Specialists of Cypress is a supportive space where you can speak openly about your symptoms and get help from experts who understand. Connect with us online or call our office at 281-304-2521 today.