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Lifestyle changes to Manage Stress Urinary Incontinence

Because of the embarrassment associated with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI),the condition is overwhelmingly under-reported, which means that most women aren’t getting the help we need to recover.  Most studies indicate that less than half of SUI cases are reported, and women live with the condition for years and years before seeking treatment, if seeking treatment at all.

It’s easy to ignore Stress Urinary Incontinence until it catches us off guard (which it always does), and even if we do see a urinary health specialist and have been prescribed exercises, it’s really difficult to see the results of our hard work, which may make us less inclined to continue the exercises going forward. If you’re not ready to commit to an exercise regimen or other health care intervention, there are a number of recommended ways to manage SUI and minimize leaking.

These include:

  • maintaining healthy body weight
  • drink fluids throughout the day, rather than larger quantities at one time
  • avoid alcohol and caffeine
  • avoid high impact exercise
  • avoid smoking
  • sit less and move more

These lifestyle changes won’t make the condition go away, but they will help minimize the physical stress on your pelvic floor so that you’re not caught off guard by a leak quite as often.