STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE (SUI)

The symptoms of SUI can be persistent, many women turn to laser treatments for relief. Laser treatments use laser energy to relieve the most common symptoms of SUI, including:

• Involuntary bladder leakage when coughing, sneezing, or laughing
• Involuntary urination when exercising or lifting something heavy
• Sudden urination during sex or standing up

WAYS TO SELF RECOGNISE ISSUES WITH YOUR PELVIC FLOOR

1.Not reaching the toilet in time

Urge incontinence occurs when you have a sudden urge to wee and can’t make it to the loo in time before you start to leak. In urge incontinence, the bladder contracts when it shouldn’t, causing some urine to leak through

2.Incomplete emptying of the bladder

When the bladder can’t completely empty, it is known as “retention” of urine, which is also associated with urinary frequency and a condition known as overflow incontinence. Some people can feel that they haven’t emptied their bladder properly, others won’t even realise until leakage occurs. It is most likely that the pelvic floor is not relaxing properly – to function properly, the muscles should fully contract and fully relax

3.Accidental leakage

Stress incontinence describes the type of accidental leaks that can occur during simple everyday activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping or doing heavy lifting. These simple movements put pressure on the bladder and, should your pelvic floor muscles be unable to tighten enough, will cause an involuntary leak. This is the most common form of female incontinence

4.Pain in the pelvic area

Pelvic pain can occur due to tension or problems with the pelvic floor muscles. This can also be a sign of infection, so you should always consult your doctor if you are feeling any pain

5.Loss of sensation during sex

It has been suggested that those that can activate their pelvic floor – i.e. can effectively squeeze and relax the muscles – will experience increased sexual satisfaction and more intense orgasms. Alternatively, those with a weakened or damaged pelvic floor may experience a loss in sensation

6.Leaking during intercourse

A large proportion of women with incontinence will experience leakage during sex. Sexual activity can put pressure on the bladder or urethra. Combined with a weak pelvic floor, the pressure can cause leakage

7.Accidentally passing wind

Accidentally passing wind or the inability to hold it in is another sign of a weakened pelvic floor. The pelvic floor supports the bowel as well as the bladder, so is responsible for all openings!

8.Poor posture or backache

If you suffer from poor posture or backache, it could be a sign of a weak pelvic floor. A strong pelvic floor supports the entire core, for a strong midsection, flatter tummy and better posture.

LASER TREATMENT : SUI

Laser heat energy emitted triggers tightening within the vaginal walls. The heating effect increases collagen and elastin within the walls allowing for tightening and increased lubrication. Building up these weakened muscles allows for increased bladder protection.

Laser treatments are also excellent choices for women who may suffer from other feminine issues like vaginal laxity, chronic infections, and loss of lubrication. Many women prefer laser treatments due to its non-invasive nature, rather than resorting to painful surgery.