20.8% women over the age of 45 experience SUI worldwide: Healthcare experts

Medical experts say awareness alone can fight Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a condition which affects millions of women across the world.
It is really difficult to pinpoint the accurate number of women affected by SUI, particularly, in a country like India, where such conditions often go unreported. Yet, some studies suggest its prevalence in India is about 12 per cent.

Healthcare experts estimate that 20.8 per cent women over the age of 45 experience SUI worldwide. It could well be an under-reported figure, yet it only reveals one thing: That hundreds of thousands of women suffer in silence. They put up with the problem either because they find it ‘below them’ to talk about it or for want to adequate awareness that it is a medical condition that can be easily corrected.

International Continence Society (ICS) defines SUI as the complaint of involuntary leakage of urine during effort or exertion or during sneezing or coughing. SUI, in fact, differs from Urge Incontinence, elaborated Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, STAR 2018 Organising Chairperson of the International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy (ISGE) regional conference – currently under way in Pune – themed Spaces, Techniques, Advances and Research (STAR 2018).

“Urge Incontinence is the loss of urine caused by bladder muscle contraction. It’s usually associated with a sense of urgency. But, SUI is much more common in women than men,” Dr Tandulwadkar explained, adding, “Most SUI victims withdraw from social life and try to hide it from families, friends and doctors.”

“Delayed treatment results in extended medical procedure besides depression impairing one’s social life and quality of living,” opined Star 2018 Chairperson.

SUI occurs when the muscles and other tissues which support the bladder (pelvic floor muscles) and muscles which regulate the release of urine weaken. “Age is one factor. physical changes associated with aging may make one susceptible to SUI,” explained Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopists (IAGE), President Dr Rishma Pai.

Childbirth can also trigger SUI because of tissue or nerve damage during delivery resulting in the poor function of pelvic floor muscles. “SUI from this damage may begin soon after delivery or occur years later,” added Dr Pai.

The four-day conference must lead to greater public engagement and awareness. This issue, however, can be plugged only through sustained campaigns, agree medical experts.