What is stress urinary incontinence? It is a condition in which involuntary urine leakage occurs with any increase in intra-abdominal pressure: lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing, or engaging in sports.
Risk factors:
- Age
- Excess weight
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Previous gynecological surgeries (hysterectomy)
- Chronic cough
- Diabetes
In modern times, urinary incontinence is treated both conservatively (with medication and non-medication therapies) and surgically.
In cases where conservative therapy for stress urinary incontinence is ineffective, surgical treatment options are considered:
- Laparoscopic procedures (such as the Burch procedure - suturing the tissues surrounding the urethra to strong structures of the anterior abdominal wall, specifically the Cooper's ligaments)
- Sling procedures (a sling is a strip of synthetic or biological material placed under the urethra using a specialized method)
What are slings according to the installation method:
The effectiveness of surgical treatment is around 75-80%. All surgical interventions are generally similar in terms of effectiveness and quality.
The majority of women do not seek medical attention for stress urinary incontinence due to a lack of accessible information, the intimate nature of the problem, and their personal attitudes towards the condition. It's important not to accept this problem, especially when there is a chance to return to a comfortable life without limitations!