And 3, 2, 1…whoops. You bounce up for your last jumping jack but come back down to not-so-fresh underwear. You didn’t need to use the restroom, but the evidence is there. Urine. You rush off from gym class to the nearest bathroom to survey the damage. Why is this happening?
First of all, if this scenario describes you in any way, it is important to know that you are not alone. According to the Urology Care Foundation, about 1 in 3 women suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at some point in their lives. SUI is common and there are successful treatments available.
What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is what happens when we sneeze, cough, exercise or use some kind of sudden force that puts pressure on the bladder and urethra. This causes the sphincter muscles to open for a flash of a moment and cause leakage. This can range from a few drops of urine to a full-on underwear change.
SUI is most common in women who have had children or are pre-menopausal. Especially after childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles have become weakened. (Which is no surprise because you just pushed a baby the size of a watermelon out of your vagina, right?) Persistent SUI symptoms can be embarrassing. It’s no fun to have to remember to bring an extra pair of underwear or feel like you can’t be involved in an activity because you might leak. We may brush it off by joking about it, but SUI symptoms can lead to a wide range of emotions including depression or isolation.
It’s important to ask yourself these questions:
- Am I avoiding certain activities?
- Do I feel like I can’t leave my house?
- Am I avoiding sexual activity due to fear of leaking?
- Have I changed my daily habits or avoid an accident?
- Am I afraid to be too far away from a bathroom?
- Do I feel uncomfortable with my body and feel less confident?
No one should have to deal with these thoughts on a daily basis. If you are changing your daily habits and lifestyle out of worry or fear of leakage then it may be time to consider your options.
Sit and Listen to This…
There is good news and hope for the weary leaker. SUI does not have to define your life any longer. Dr. Christi at Houston Female Urology is proud to offer EMSella. EMSella is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment plan that requires no medication at all.
All you have to do is sit down and breathe. No, really. EMSella is a chair you sit on for 30 minutes while fully clothed. It stimulates more than 10,000 kegel exercises to tone your bladder and pelvic floor muscles. It sounds simple because it is simple.
No pain. No hassle. Just results.
How Does EMSella Work?
EMSella uses high intensity focused electromagnetic technology to stimulate all the deep muscles of the pelvic floor. Thirty minutes goes fast, but in that time, it will be the same as doing 10,000 kegel exercises. That’s a lot of exercising to be sitting in a chair!
Typically, patients will need six treatments (two per week for three weeks). Patients will notice a significant improvement in strengthened muscles and bladder control.
Dr. Christi is a firm believer in pelvic floor muscle training. In addition to EMSella, she may recommend a pelvic floor training plan in conjunction with EMSella. Once EMSella treatments are finished, kegel exercises can be continued for added strength.
Count Me In!
Dr. Christi at Houston Female Urology provides expert medical and surgical care for women and has seen exceptional results throughout her time in treating patients. She specializes in all female pelvic conditions including bladder and incontinence disorders, vaginal surgery and regernation, sexual dysfunction treatment, and reconstructive surgery.
It’s important to choose the right doctor to have the best outcome, which is why Dr. Christi offers the latest and safest technology available.
There is absolutely no reason to continue being embarrassed about your mild to moderate SUI. And there’s even less reason to have surgery or medication. Call our office at (281) 542-8124 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Christi to see how EMSella can change your life. It’s never too late to look better and feel better!