Health Chronicle: Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence is common in women with cystic fibrosis, linked to chronic cough, and is treated first by pelvic floor rehabilitation, with surgery being a last resort.
Dr. Lara Bilodeau
M.D., FRCPC
Pulmonologist
University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec Quebec Quebec (Quebec) Canada
Q: I have a problem with urinary incontinence, especially when I cough or laugh. A friend with cystic fibrosis underwent a very simple surgery (installation of a kind of wire fence) that seems to give good results in eliminating leaks. Can you tell me more about this technique? Would you recommend this type of procedure to your patients?
R: Urinary incontinence is a common problem in women in general and even more so in those with cystic fibrosis. Leaks are usually a few drops and happen when a person coughs, laughs, or exercises. This type of incontinence is called stress incontinence.
In women with cystic fibrosis, this problem is caused by chronic cough that generates high intra-abdominal pressure. The pelvic floor muscles, which surround the urethra (channel that leads urine from the bladder to the outside) and allow for continence, become less effective in resisting this excessive pressure.
Several treatments are available for stress urinary incontinence. The first line of treatment is pelvic floor muscle training. To do this, there are exercise programs that involve repeatedly contracting the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises are simple and can be done at home. They can be taught to you by a physical therapist. It is also important to change some lifestyle habits that may contribute to the problem. Reducing your alcohol and caffeine intake, emptying your bladder regularly, and adjusting your fluid intake are all steps that can help reduce leaks.
If these treatments are not effective, then one can consider other methods that require the advice of a urologist. One alternative is to insert a device into the vagina (called a pessary) that puts pressure on the urethra and thus reduces leaks. There are also various surgical procedures to correct urinary incontinence but they are recommended as a last resort, when less invasive methods have failed.
Health issues
Thanks to Our Partners
