Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. It is a common condition that often causes embarrassment and distress, leading many women to remain silent about it. Feelings of guilt, anxiety, and even depression can develop. Contrary to popular belief, this issue does not only affect elderly women. Stress urinary incontinence is frequently observed in women between the ages of forty and fifty.
Urinary incontinence occurs when increased intra-bladder pressure overcomes the bladder sphincter, allowing urine to leak. This increase in pressure may result from an overactive bladder or elevated abdominal pressure.
The primary causes of stress urinary incontinence include :
There are also contributing factors that either increase abdominal pressure or weaken the pelvic floor muscles, including constipation, excess weight, pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle, and a history of pelvic or gynecological surgery.
The symptoms of stress urinary incontinence significantly impact quality of life. This condition can cause social discomfort, lower self-confidence, and limit participation in various activities.
Symptoms include :
There are three main types of urinary incontinence :
Stress urinary incontinence is the most common, affecting nearly half of all women. Mixed incontinence ranks second in prevalence, followed by urge incontinence.
There are several solutions to treat or prevent the worsening of stress urinary incontinence.
Simple lifestyle adjustments can help improve this condition. The key is to eliminate aggravating factors such as constipation, excess weight, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and activities that increase abdominal pressure (heavy lifting, intense exertion, etc.).
Perineal rehabilitation plays a fundamental role in managing this condition. The goal is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve muscle control to prevent urine leakage.
Laser treatment is a non-invasive and effective method for treating stress urinary incontinence. This procedure uses laser technology to gently heat the tissues of the pelvic floor, stimulating collagen production and strengthening the supporting structures.
It is particularly effective for mild to moderate cases of stress incontinence.
In women suffering from stress incontinence, the connective tissue metabolism of the vaginal mucosa is altered, leading to decreased collagen production necessary for structural support.
The vaginal laser stimulates collagen synthesis, improving the trophicity (thickness and quality) of the vaginal mucosa, its vascularization, and its elasticity.
The session consists of several steps.
The advantages of laser treatment are :
The results are relatively quick. One month after the first session, urine leakage is significantly reduced. Optimal results are achieved between four and six months after the session.
Results include :
Depending on the severity of the condition, a single session may be sufficient to stop leakage. However, Dr. Romano recommends completing the three-session protocol to ensure long-term stability of results.
A maintenance session is advised every one to two years.
Urinary incontinence should not prevent physical activity. However, it is essential to choose exercises that minimize pressure on the pelvic floor to avoid worsening symptoms.
Recommended sports and activities
Sports to avoid
| Type of consultation | Generally practiced rates |
|---|---|
|
Laser
|
600 CHF per session |
Patient feedback on laser treatment for stress urinary incontinence is highly positive, highlighting the effectiveness of this non-invasive method. Many women report a significant reduction in urine leakage after just one session.
The procedure is also widely appreciated for being simple, quick, painless, and requiring neither anesthesia nor recovery time.
The laser stimulates collagen production by gently heating the pelvic floor tissues, improving their firmness and support function.
The number of sessions required depends on the severity of the incontinence. In general, 2 to 3 sessions are recommended for optimum results.
Laser treatment offers fast, long-lasting results without the risks and recovery times associated with more invasive procedures.
Patients can expect a significant reduction in bladder weakness, improved quality of life and increased self-confidence.
Most patients feel a slight warmth during the procedure, but there is no pain.
Side-effects are minor and transitory: sensation of heat, slight loss of blood.
Healthy women with symptoms of mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence who want a non-invasive solution are good candidates for this treatment. An initial consultation with a doctor will confirm patients' eligibility.
Anticholinergics such as oxybutynin are often used for urge incontinence. There is no specific medication for stress incontinence.
Yes, urinary incontinence can be treated with medication, surgery, pelvic floor exercises or behavioural therapies.
Griffonia root and pumpkin seed are known to help manage the symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Chamomile tea is renowned for its soothing properties and can help reduce the frequency of urination.
Cypress essential oil is often used for its astringent and toning properties.
Kegel exercises are the most recommended.
Common homeopathic remedies include Equisetum and Belladonna.
Regular Kegel exercises help to strengthen and tighten the muscles of the perineum.
Kegel exercises and the use of devices such as vaginal cones can be effective in strengthening the perineum after the age of 60.
Yes, regular walking can help maintain good muscle tone, including that of the perineum.
Geisha balls help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, improving urinary control and bladder tone.
Electro-stimulators for the pelvic floor.
Pilates and yoga are excellent for strengthening the pelvic floor.
Rehabilitation can be achieved through daily Kegel exercises and the use of biofeedback devices.
Multiple births, intense exertion and inappropriate sporting activities can weaken the perineum.
The causes are pregnancy, childbirth, age, the menopause, obesity and certain chronic illnesses.
Consult a doctor if bladder weakness is frequent, affects your quality of life or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Illnesses such as diabetes, urinary tract infections and neurological disorders can cause bladder weakness.
Risk factors include age, gender (more common in women), family history, smoking and certain physical activities.
Bladder weakness can occur at any age, but is more common after the age of 40, especially in women after the menopause.
The tests include a urinalysis, ultrasound, cystoscopy and urodynamic tests to assess the function of the bladder and urethra.
Yes, stress can exacerbate the symptoms of an overactive bladder and cause urine leakage.
Spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate and artificial sweeteners can irritate the bladder.
Yes, caffeine is a bladder irritant and can worsen the symptoms of urinary incontinence.
The services described on this website apply to Swiss territory; there are differences between countries.
Contact
Dr Valeria Romano
Pl. du Molard 5, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm
Dr Valeria Romano - All rights reserved.
