What causes postpartum urinary incontinence?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

Postpartum urinary incontinence in women often occurs after vaginal delivery. Clinically, postpartum urinary incontinence is relatively common and is mostly due to the stretching or injury of certain muscle groups in the pelvic floor as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can also occur due to surgical intervention affecting the nerves and blood vessels that support the pelvic floor, leading to relaxation or atrophy of the levator ani muscle. Postpartum urinary incontinence typically occurs about a week after delivery, and timely treatment is necessary. During the treatment period, bed rest is advised, which can alleviate some of the discomforts and possibly avoid the need for surgery.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
50sec home-news-image

Where is there a specialty for urinary incontinence?

Generally speaking, urinary incontinence falls under the category of urology, though some aspects could also be seen by specialists in men's health, who can effectively treat symptoms of urinary incontinence. Generally, it is recommended that patients seek examination and treatment in public hospitals, as the treatment provided in private hospitals is often not as reliable. For patients with urinary incontinence, it is advisable to consult the urology department if visiting a hospital. The urology department primarily deals with diseases of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Typically, urinary incontinence involves issues with the urethra or bladder, which can lead to incontinence. Therefore, it is advisable for patients to visit a reputable public hospital and consult the urology department.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
1min 20sec home-news-image

How to treat urinary incontinence?

How to treat urinary incontinence: The most common cause of urinary incontinence is pelvic diaphragm dysfunction. The bladder is located above the pelvic diaphragm. In elderly people, especially elderly women, the pelvic diaphragm and tissues around the urethra are relaxed and weak. Increased abdominal pressure, such as from coughing or changes in body position, can lead to incontinence and stress urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is also seen in obstructions of the urethral opening and bladder outlet. Such diseases are more common in elderly women with vaginal inflammation, whereas in men, the main cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia. The third category involves bladder disorders itself, such as bladder tumors, bladder stones, and inflammations, all of which can cause urinary incontinence. Additionally, neurological disorders that control urination are also a significant cause of urinary incontinence in the elderly. Once the diagnosis of urinary incontinence is clear, symptomatic treatment should be adopted and most cases can be controlled. For inflammations, anti-inflammatory treatments can be used. For abnormalities in the bladder or urethra identified through cystourethrography, surgical treatment can be considered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
58sec home-news-image

Can fecal incontinence be recovered?

If fecal incontinence occurs, the first step is to identify the main cause of the fecal incontinence. If it is caused by relaxation of the anal sphincter and anal canal, then surgery can be performed to tighten this area, specifically through an anal tightening procedure, which can restore control over fecal incontinence. If the patient has other underlying diseases or is elderly and frail, accompanied by changes in the nervous system, the symptoms of fecal incontinence may be alleviated through medication or physical therapy, but complete recovery is unlikely. This is because the recovery of the nervous system requires the integrated regulation of other bodily organs and functions. If there are multiple underlying diseases or if the patient is elderly and frail, especially in the later stages of coma, recovery is difficult.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wei Zhen Xia
Geriatrics
47sec home-news-image

What is urinary incontinence in the elderly?

For elderly people with urinary incontinence, such as elderly men, the main cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia. Due to the enlargement of the prostate, there is an obstruction at the bladder outlet, which increases the resistance during urination. Urine is not completely expelled and accumulates in large amounts within the bladder. When the pressure reaches a certain level, urinary incontinence occurs. For female patients, the main cause is usually an acute urinary system infection, resulting in localized infections that stimulate the bladder's detrusor muscle, causing it to contract involuntarily and, consequently, leading to urinary incontinence.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Feng
Urology
41sec home-news-image

How to care for incontinence-associated dermatitis

The care for incontinence-associated dermatitis primarily involves keeping the affected skin clean and dry. It is important to avoid skin contact with urine as much as possible. If the skin does come into contact with urine, it should be washed promptly and kept clean and dry. If there is itching or discomfort at the site of the dermatitis, topical corticosteroid ointments may be used to alleviate the itching. Some patients might also develop infections, typically bacterial, which can be managed with antibiotics. For patients with recurrent dermatitis, considering bladder fistulation or other treatment methods might be necessary to prevent skin contact with urine.