Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Symptoms: SUI is the sudden, accidental loss of urine that occurs during normal, everyday activities. You may have SUI if you leak urine when you sneeze, cough or laugh, when you stand up, when you exercise, or when you lift heavy items. SUI occurs when the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body, does not remain sealed when it is not time to urinate.

Cause:  The most common cause of SUI is a weakening of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues in the pelvic floor. When the pelvic floor is strong it supports the urethra, ensuring that it remains closed and in the correct position until it is time to urinate. When the muscles and other tissues in the pelvic floor are weakened, there is insufficient support for the urethra. As a result, any increased pressure to the bladder, such as coughing, may cause the urethra to lose its seal and allow urine to escape. A weakened pelvic floor may be caused by:

• Childbirth
• Pelvic surgery such as hysterectomy in females
• Surgery of the prostate or pelvic area in males
• Estrogen deficiency
• Obesity
• High-impact exercise
• Chronic heavy lifting/straining

SUI may also be caused by deficient sphincter muscles in the urethra, which allow the urethra to open before you are ready to urinate.

Prevalence: SUI is the most common type of urinary incontinence for women, accounting for up to 60% of diagnoses. Approximately 50% of all women have occasional urinary incontinence, and up to 10% have frequent incontinence.*

Treatments: A variety of treatments are available including pelvic muscle strengthening, medications and "sling" procedures.  Bulking agents such as Macroplastique provide a less-invasive alternative to surgery.

* Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia

0540094B  05/09