Urinary Incontinence is Not “Normal” & what to do

Understanding Urinary Incontinence: Why It’s Not “Normal” and How Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Can Help

As a pelvic health physical therapist, I see many women who struggle with urinary incontinence but feel too embarrassed to seek help. Over 25 million Americans are affected by this condition, yet so many women believe it’s just a natural consequence of pregnancy, childbirth, or aging. I want to emphasize one crucial point: no amount of incontinence is normal. Ever.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. It can happen during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising (this is called stress incontinence) or following a sudden, intense urge to urinate (urge incontinence). Some women experience both types, known as mixed incontinence.

Unfortunately, our society has normalized incontinence with the wide availability of pads, tampon-like devices, and even “pee-proof” underwear. While these products can manage symptoms, they don’t address the root cause. Incontinence is a symptom, not a disease—it’s a sign that your core, specifically your pelvic floor, is not functioning optimally.

The Role of Your Pelvic Floor in Keeping Things Dry

The pelvic floor muscles play a key, often overlooked, role in your core’s functionality. These muscles control continence, and if they are weak or uncoordinated, they may not generate enough strength to prevent leakage. On the flip side, if your pelvic floor muscles are overly tense or overactive, you can also experience leakage. This is why the commonly recommended solution of doing Kegels (pelvic floor exercises) isn’t always the right answer—and can sometimes make symptoms worse.

Common Diagnoses and Symptoms

If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, you may have one or more of the following symptoms or related conditions:

- Incontinence: Stress, urge, or mixed.

- Painful Bladder Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis: Chronic bladder pain and discomfort.

- Incomplete Voiding or Straining: Difficulty fully emptying the bladder.

- Frequent Urination: Needing to go more often than usual.

- Frequent UTIs or UTI Symptoms Without Bacteria: A sensation of having a UTI, but without any infection.

Why a Holistic Approach Matters

It’s important to remember that you are more than just your pelvic floor. In pelvic health physical therapy, we don’t just focus on one aspect of your body.

We perform a thorough evaluation that includes:

- Posture and Movement Analysis: How you stand, sit, and move throughout your day.

- Breathing Patterns: Your breath and diaphragm play a critical role in core stability.

- Core Strength Testing: Understanding how well your core muscles, including your pelvic floor, work together.

- Pelvic Floor Muscle Evaluation: Assessing the strength, coordination, and tension of the pelvic floor.

Once we gather this information, we create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you regain control, confidence, and continence.

Seeking Treatment: It’s Time to Take Action

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, you don’t have to accept them as part of life. With the right approach and support from a trained pelvic health physical therapist, you can restore your body’s optimal function and live without the worry of incontinence. You deserve to feel confident and strong again.

If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to schedule an evaluation. Let’s work together to reclaim your pelvic health!