Will postpartum urinary incontinence heal itself?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 05, 2025
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Symptoms of urinary incontinence after childbirth are curable for most women. Postpartum urinary incontinence results from the relaxation and strain of the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy and childbirth, thus it is necessary to exercise these muscles after giving birth. Additionally, pelvic physiotherapy can also be performed. Generally, normal function can be restored within six months, and for those in better health, recovery can occur as soon as one month postpartum. It is critical to adhere to treatment under medical guidance when experiencing urinary incontinence; otherwise, the impact on a woman's health can be significant, affecting normal social interactions and work.

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Should I wear diapers for urinary incontinence?

Whether patients with urinary incontinence need to use diapers should be determined based on the severity of the incontinence. If it is only mild incontinence that does not affect normal work and life, it is not necessary to wear diapers. Regular urination schedules, along with exercises like pelvic lift and pelvic floor muscle training, can alleviate the condition. However, if the incontinence is more pronounced, it is best to initially use diapers to prevent excessive urine leakage. If necessary, a urinary catheter can be used temporarily to drain the urine and prevent leakage. At the same time, it is important to actively undergo relevant examinations to determine the cause of the incontinence and carry out targeted treatment.

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What should I do if spina bifida causes fecal incontinence?

Patients with spina bifida who experience fecal incontinence are in a relatively severe condition. In such cases, it is best to actively pursue surgical treatment to prevent further progression of the condition. This includes suturing the dura mater of the corresponding spinal defect, repositioning the spinal cord, and appropriately repairing the bone structure, all of which are very important. Additionally, it may be possible to partially restore bowel function, but complete recovery is not guaranteed. If there is no significant improvement later on, a colostomy might be considered. This involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall, forming a stoma, and using an artificial method for bowel movement. This can help reduce contamination and restore some bowel function.

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What causes postpartum urinary incontinence?

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.

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What causes sudden fainting and incontinence?

Sudden fainting accompanied by incontinence can be due to neurogenic syncope, cardiogenic syncope, or vasovagal syncope. Neurogenic syncope generally refers to sudden fainting caused by conditions such as cerebral arteriosclerosis, cerebral vascular narrowing, cerebral vascular occlusion, transient cerebral ischemia, insufficient blood supply from the vertebrobasilar arteries, cerebral embolism, cerebral hemorrhage, intracranial space-occupying lesions, or cerebral vascular malformations, which can lead to incontinence and, in severe cases, convulsions. Cardiogenic syncope is generally caused by myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, or heart failure, leading to a decrease in cardiac output and resulting secondary cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which cause loss of consciousness.

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How to treat stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence primarily refers to the leakage of urine from the urethra while sneezing, coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, which increases abdominal pressure. This condition is commonly seen in women who have given birth, mainly due to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the detrusor muscles. If the symptoms are not very severe, they can be improved through functional exercises of the pelvic floor muscles and the detrusor muscle. If the condition is moderate or severe stress urinary incontinence, surgical treatment is recommended. Mid-urethral sling procedures can be adopted to control urination.