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Urogynecology (Expert Forum)
Stress incontinence, PT, weight loss
Answered by
Lennox Hoyte, M.D. - UroGynecology, Pelvic Surgery
USF College College of Medicine
Tampa - FL
Questions in the Urogynecology forum are answered by medical professionals affiliated with USF Health. Topics covered include overactive bladders, bladder pain, fallen/drooping bladder, bowel urgency, bowel prolapse, cystitis, incontinence, pain with intercourse, rectal prolapse, surgery, urinary urgency, and uterine prolapse.
Stress incontinence, PT, weight loss
by Beabun, Mar 19, 2007 12:00AM
I'm currently receiving physical therapy for pelvic floor exercises, etc., for SUI, as I have asked about before, but now have one more question. So far, the PT has not done much. I'm 52 and not through menopause yet and have been told that SUI will get worse with menopause. Since I'm about 40 pounds overweight, would weight loss in itself improve SUI or would it stay the same, and then worsen (even with weight loss) after menopause? Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Lennox Hoyte, M.D., Apr 01, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 01, 2007 12:00AM
SUI is often related to a weakness in the tissues which support the bladder and vagina. Once these tissues are weakened or broken, it can be difficult to reverse the symptoms without surgery. However, women with undamaged pelvic floor muscles can sometimes benefit from intensive pelvic floor physical therapy to correct the SUI. Research data suggests that the cure is probqably temporary, and works as long as you keep the pelvic floor muscles in top shape. Only about 25% of women who benefit from PT will be remain continenent at 15 years after starting the PT. Another alternative is to use an incontinence pessary, but this too has about a 25% success rate. The upside is that the pessary is completely nininvasive, and reversible.
The surgical cure (Sling) is minimally invasive currently, and can often be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you still wish to proceed with the PT, you need to see a physical therapist who specializes in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Not all PTs do. The ones who do not, often offer just kegel exercises, which are probabl not enough. See someone who offers manual pelvic floor physical therapy to rehabilitate the muscles in your pelvic floor. Find a urogynecologist in your area, and ask them to refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist. See www.hollyherman.com or www.pelvicrehab.com.
The surgical cure (Sling) is minimally invasive currently, and can often be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you still wish to proceed with the PT, you need to see a physical therapist who specializes in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Not all PTs do. The ones who do not, often offer just kegel exercises, which are probabl not enough. See someone who offers manual pelvic floor physical therapy to rehabilitate the muscles in your pelvic floor. Find a urogynecologist in your area, and ask them to refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist. See www.hollyherman.com or www.pelvicrehab.com.
