For months, maybe longer, Amelia had been feeling not quite herself. At 62 she had been an active woman. Retired early, traveling with her husband, daily walks with her dog, and weekly workout classes with her girlfriends at the gym – her life was full and happy. But then, she started experiencing bladder leaks. “They weren’t huge at first, just small leaks here and there with certain activities”, she said. “I honestly didn’t even give them much thought until they started to become worse”.
After a few years, Amelia noticed that her leaks had progressed to the point that she had to wear absorbent pads when working out, and then, even when walking her dog. She had a couple of episodes where she nearly had an accident when out to dinner, and started to become fearful of long trips.The changes were gradual, but she found herself not wanting to do much of anything anymore and stayed in most days.
“I was so embarrassed and ashamed of the leaks. I felt like I had lost my spark”, said Amelia. “I didn’t want to do anything, go anywhere. I felt sad and lonely and couldn’t believe that this was now my life”.
The Impact of Incontinence on Women’s Mental Health
Amelia’s story isn’t uncommon. Many women who experience incontinence can go on to experience various forms of mental health issues. In a 2019 survey from the National Association For Continence, 90% of patients reported feeling either isolated and alone, depressed or hopeless.1
Incontinence can have a profound impact on women’s mental health, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Anxiety
Women who experience incontinence often face the fear of public embarrassment or stigma associated with leakage episodes. This fear can cause anxiety and lead to the avoidance of social situations, which may result in social withdrawal and isolation.
The chronic stress of managing incontinence can further contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.
Incontinence can have a profound impact on women’s mental health, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Depression
Depression is another common mental health challenge faced by women with incontinence. A recent study of over 1,000 women found that those who reported incontinence were 66% more likely than others to have been diagnosed with depression.2
Low Self-Esteem
The study also found that 65% of women were more likely to say their health was bad, to have more trouble concentrating, and to have more feelings of guild and lower self-worth.2
The loss of self-esteem and confidence due to leakage incidents can erode a woman’s sense of self-worth, leading to feelings of shame, frustration, and helplessness. The constant struggle to manage incontinence can significantly impact a woman’s overall quality of life, affecting her relationships, work performance, and emotional well-being.
Loneliness
Because there is so much fear around having an accident, incontinence can also lead to loneliness, as people retreat more and more from their normal lives. In our survey, we found that many people have missed social events (31%), withdrawn from friends and family (27%) and have reduced their level of exercise (48%) due to having incontinence.
“I was so scared that I would have an accident in public that I just stopped going out at all”, said Amelia. “It really started to limit my life”.
Addressing the Issue in the Healthcare Industry and Society
The healthcare industry plays a pivotal role in addressing the issue of incontinence and its impact on women’s mental health. By providing healthcare professionals with improved education and awareness about incontinence, increased communication around the condition between doctors and patients can start to spur more treatment and management of the condition. There are so many treatment options available, this shouldn’t be a condition that women are forced to live with.
Furthermore, it is crucial to make treatment options for incontinence more accessible and affordable. This will ensure that women have access to a range of therapies, including medications, physical therapy, and surgical procedures when necessary. Restoring control over their condition can alleviate the associated mental health challenges and empower women to live their lives confidently.
In society, destigmatization and open dialogue surrounding incontinence are essential. By openly discussing the issue, we can break down barriers and eliminate the shame and embarrassment often associated with it. This will foster a supportive environment where empathy, understanding, and acceptance flourish.
Promoting Prevention Strategies for Incontinence
While addressing the challenges related to incontinence is crucial, it is equally important to empower women with knowledge and preventive strategies to reduce the risk of developing incontinence in the first place. Women should be educated about the potential for developing incontinence throughout their lives and should be given routine education about how to prevent and manage bladder leaks at their different life stages. Some effective preventive measures include:
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises. Regularly performing pelvic floor muscle exercises, commonly known as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and reduce the risk of incontinence.
- Lifestyle modifications. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, and adopting a balanced diet can positively impact bladder health and reduce the risk of incontinence.
- Prenatal and postnatal care. Education on pelvic floor health during pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation and support can significantly reduce the occurrence of incontinence related to childbirth.
After a few years, Amelia had finally had enough. Her husband had been urging her to seek help and while she felt embarrassed to talk to her doctor, she finally brought it up at an appointment. Her doctor prescribed her medication not only for her bladder leaks, but also for her anxiety and she’s been making strides ever since to get back to her normal self.
“I feel like I’ve been hiding under a cloud for the past several years”, said Amelia. “It’s been so nice to finally get the treatment that I need and to start enjoying my life again. I wish I would have reached out for help sooner”.
The connection between women’s mental health and incontinence highlights the importance of addressing the challenges faced by women who experience bladder control issues. By providing comprehensive care, raising awareness, and promoting destigmatization, the healthcare industry, and society can make significant strides in supporting women’s mental health. Moreover, empowering women through education, preventive measures, and accessible treatment options can help prevent the onset of incontinence and contribute to overall well-being.
- The National Association For Continence Yearly Survey, 2019, Data on file.
- https://eaucongress.uroweb.org/women-with-incontinence-suffer-poorer-mental-health-says-new-research/
3 Responses
I have been seeing a counterstrain physical therapist, she is great, after a few sessions, I have improved quite a bit, less urgency and leaks, life is good with hopes.
Hi Pamela,
I encourage you to explore our site – we have a lot of great information about bladder incontinence throughout!
Best of luck.
Please send me anything you may have on bladder incontinance and how I can illeviate it. I am almost a hermit because of it and it is ruining my marriage.
I had the Interstim implanted in my hip tissue but it doesn’t work seem to work for me. My urine flow tends to be too strong.
Thank you for any you may offer.