In most cases, incontinence isn’t a life-threatening ailment. However, it can negatively impact a woman’s quality of life. Women are twice as likely to suffer from this debilitating problem as men. There are many potential causes of urinary incontinence in women. Here are some of the most common.

Pregnancy & Childbirth

Healthcare professionals estimate that about 40 percent of all women experience urinary incontinence during pregnancy. During and after childbirth, women are at a high risk of experiencing stress incontinence. This form of incontinence refers to accidental leakage due to sudden pressure on the bladder, with laugh, cough, or exercise.

As babies develop during pregnancy, the uterus expands significantly. This process leads to excess pressure on the bladder and urethra. All it takes is one cough, laugh, or intense physical motion to lose control.

Incontinence in women during pregnancy can also stem from hormonal changes. Fluctuations and the general increase in progesterone levels weaken the pelvic floor. One job of progesterone during pregnancy is to loosen ligaments and joints, making room for the womb. But, the hormone is also capable of weakening the pelvic muscles that impact urine control.

Giving birth can result in urinary incontinence in women that lasts for several weeks. Vaginal delivery, in particular, is known to stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles act as a sling to support the pelvic organs, including the bladder. When damaged during childbirth, some women might experience pelvic organ prolapse and continued incontinence issues. 

Childbirth may also damage the nerves that communicate with the bladder. Generally, incontinence troubles resolve themselves six weeks or so after delivery. But in some women, they can be the start of lifelong bladder control battles.

• 30% of women will continue to suffer from urinary incontinence as a result of a pregnancy.

RELATED: Urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse after vaginal delivery

Aging

Urinary incontinence is more common in older women. Roughly 30 percent of all women between the ages of 45 and 64 experience it. For women 65 and older, that figure jumps up to about 50 percent.

Contrary to popular belief, urinary incontinence in women is not a normal part of getting older. It’s a medical condition that’s likely a byproduct of another underlying health concern. For older women, the potential causes of incontinence widen.

In many instances, the culprit is pelvic floor atrophy. The effects of previous pregnancy and childbirth can also come into play. Several neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease, might be to blame for urinary incontinence in women as well.

Menopause

In addition to hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, urinary incontinence is a common complaint during menopause. During this life stage, the body stops producing estrogen and progesterone. Researchers believe that these lower estrogen and progesterone levels weaken the urethra and the pelvic floor muscles.

Less estrogen also makes vaginal tissue less elastic while thinning the lining of the urethra. All of these seemingly minor changes add up. Plus, additional biological changes like weight gain and pelvic organ prolapse can occur after menopause. These events make urinary incontinence in women much more likely during and after menopause.

RELATED: How to Prevent Genital and Urinary Problems During and After Menopause?

Many women will start to experience incontinence during perimenopause when hormonal changes first begin. But, the brunt of bladder control issues happens during menopause and continues long after. Women can experience all forms of urinary incontinence, including frequent stress accidents, sudden urges to urinate, and overactive bladder.

Urinary incontinence in women is far more common than most think. That said, it doesn’t have to affect your life. Problems with bladder control are usually very treatable with the right care.

Dr. Tahery is a urogynecologist in Los Angeles. His gynecology and urology knowledge provides a deeper understanding of urinary incontinence in women and other pelvic floor issues.

Contact Dr. Tahery’s offices in Los Angeles and Glendale today to schedule a consultation and learn more about potential treatment options.

The post What Causes Urinary Incontinence In Women? appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.

While many view labiaplasty as a purely cosmetic endeavor, many women seek it for comfort, too. Excess tissue can cause pain during sexual intercourse or discomfort when wearing tight-fitting clothing. For this reason, many women choose to combine labiaplasty with clitoral hood reduction for a complete vaginal makeover.

Despite all of the benefits this procedure has to offer, there is one common concern among women interested in this procedure. Does labiaplasty affect sensation?

Sensory issues are a legitimate concern. The tip of the clitoris alone has over 8,000 nerves! That’s not counting the labia nerve endings and receptors.

So, does a labiaplasty affect sensation after recovery? Luckily, it does not. During this procedure, surgeons remove only tissue. The tissue doesn’t have any nerve endings. While there are always risks involved, a decrease in sexual sensation shouldn’t be one of them with a skilled surgeon. In fact, you may experience more if you pair labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction.

This procedure reduces the size of the clitoral hood by removing excess tissue. It exposes the clitoris to more sensation.

RELATED: Does sex cause elongated labia?

The Labiaplasty Procedure

The process all starts with a consultation. Every woman’s needs are different. Surgeons take the time to discuss your expectation in great detail. They can determine the amount of correction and types of surgical methods best suited for the job.

There are a few types of labiaplasty procedures available. One of the most common is called a “Trim” or “Edge” labiaplasty. With this technique, surgeons perform a vertical incision with a laser or scalpel. The cut occurs on the free edge of the labia minora to remove excess tissue. It is especially useful to remove areas of discoloration as well as the excess tissue. 

The second option is the “Wedge” technique. Best for women concerned about visible scarring, this technique involves removing tissue from the thickest part of the inner labia. Surgeons remove a wedge-shaped section and stitch the cut edges together. The process instantly reduces the length and modifies the shape of the labia.

Finally, there’s the “De-Epithelialization” technique. This method is similar to the “Edge”. However, the difference here is that the surgeon removes an oval-shaped section of the epithelium tissue lining the inner labia. The process avoids labia nerve endings and alleviates sensory worries.

Despite the significant change they create, a labiaplasty and clitoral hood reduction are relatively straightforward. Both procedures are performed in an outpatient setting and take roughly two hours to complete depending on the correction level required. After about two or three days, most women can return to their standard routine. There are some physical restrictions with exercise and sexual intercourse in the beginning. But, a full recovery will only take about four to six weeks.

RELATED: Answers to your questions about labiaplasty

Labiaplasty in Los Angeles

A Labiaplasty is a transformative procedure that can improve aesthetic, comfort, and sexual confidence. 

Dr. Tahery, as a urogynecologist, has in-depth knowledge about female sexual and reproductive anatomy. The subspecialty covers both gynecology and urology, leading to a deeper understanding of the intricate inner workings of the pelvic organs. 

Contact the offices of Dr. Tahery today to learn more about the labiaplasty procedure and to book your consultation.

The post Will Labiaplasty Affect Sensation? Urogynecologist’s Advice appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.