Exercise and Incontinence

Stress incontinence which occurs while exercising is something that few women wish to discuss or acknowledge, although it is a not-uncommon event. The good news is, however, that stress incontinence is generally caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles as a consequence of pregnancy, childbirth or hormonal changes. Unlike other types of incontinence that may be less amenable to treatment, stress incontinence can often be treated using exercises targeted towards these damaged muscles.

About one-third of adult women will experience some degree of stress incontinence while exercising at some point in their life. Some women discontinue the activity that causes the incontinence; others solve the problem with a pad, while others choose to consult a physician. In general, the types of activities that are most likely to cause stress incontinence are any of the high-impact exercise routines such as aerobics or running activities. Your pelvic floor muscles, if they are in a weakened condition, may not be able to tolerate repetitive stress of this sort before something “gives”.

Women are far more prone to suffering from stress incontinence than men are, primarily because pregnancy and childbirth damage and stretch many of the pelvic muscles and tissues. Though stress incontinence is not a guaranteed part of the aging process, muscles do weaken if they are not exercised. In addition, excess weight can add enough pressure to further weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

One of the most popular and successful methods of strengthening the pelvic floor is through a series of exercises called Kegel exercises, which were developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel. His program is designed to teach good bladder habits, and is frequently taught to pregnant women to help them maintain proper functioning of their pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy, through childbirth and beyond.

When stress continence becomes a problem it may be appropriate to pick a different form of exercise. For example, switch from running to bike riding or from aerobics to swimming. However, it is imperative to remember to maintain proper flexibility and strength in your pelvic floor muscles. Keeping these muscles fit is a very important aspect of a comprehensive exercise regime.

If you are noticing a problem with stress incontinence, one of the first steps you may want to consider is choosing an incontinence pad, one that will allow you to continue your exercise regimen while feeling confident and secure. Add Kegel exercises to your regime and you may find that the combination of whole-body exercise and Kegels will halt any incidences of incontinence. Exercising may help you to shed any unwanted pounds, which can also help in controlling incontinence.

Pilates can offer a good all-around workout. Pilates builds core strength, and included in that core strength is the pelvic floor. By firing up all of the abdominal muscles as well as the back muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor, Pilates creates a strong and stable foundation for movement which improves posture, strength, balance, and coordination. When combined with targeted Kegel exercises, Pilates offers a comprehensive workout to help improve overall health.

Stress incontinence as a result of exercising is not uniquely a woman’s problem, but due to the damage done during pregnancy and childbirth, it is certainly found more frequently in women than in men. For both men and women, exercise-related stress incontinence is caused by weak muscles in the pelvic floor which can be strengthened by following a regime of Kegel exercises. Another very important factor in avoiding stress incontinence due to exercise for both men and women is weight control, because the addition of a few extra pounds can be enough to encourage the development of stress incontinence.

Dryforlife.co.uk appreciates the impact of dealing with stress incontinence. Frequently the underlying cause of stress incontinence is simply weak pelvic muscles, which can be strengthened through exercise. For discreet advice visit us at http://www.dryforlife.co.uk.

• • Terms and conditions
• • Contact us