Urinary Incontinence (UI) can happen for a variety of reasons, but in my practice I most commonly see it affect postpartum patients and those entering menopause. It can also be an issue during pregnancy itself; symptoms tend to increase with each trimester as pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor increases. Those who have had previous pregnancies also have a higher risk for UI. In postpartum patients, those who delivered vaginally have a higher risk for postpartum UI compared with surgical delivery, and those who experienced 3rd or 4th degree tear also have a higher risk.
The research really illustrates why it’s important not to ignore the issue- 3 months postpartum anywhere from 17-31% of new moms experience urinary incontinence, and if untreated 38% still had symptoms a whopping 12 years later (source). That’s the minority, but not by much! You can see why it’s so important to seek out help for the issue absolutely as soon as possible- the sooner you can get help after the issue the begins, the better your chances of overcoming it.
