Get ready to experience a bit of leakage when you sneeze. This is a common experience that many women encounter during pregnancy or after giving birth. You may have heard stories from your mother, grandmother, aunts, or friends about moments when they have had embarrassing incidents of “leaking.” In fact, even doctors acknowledge that occasional urine leaks during activities like laughing or jumping are completely normal. Despite the prevalence of this issue, why is there still a sense of embarrassment surrounding it? And why is it not taken seriously?
Urinary incontinence, or the lack of full control over your bladder, is a topic that many people tend to avoid discussing, whether they have had children or not. However, behind the medical community’s reassurance that it is a “normal” part of life are women who have to deal with it on a daily basis.
In this article, we hear from experts in the field including Aldene Zeno, MD, FACOG, Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, Jennifer Anger, MD, Karyn Eilber, MD, and Victoria Scott, MD, who shed light on this often taboo topic. We also share the story of Jennifer Souiade, a mother of three, who struggled with urinary incontinence postpartum. Despite receiving pelvic floor therapy, she still dealt with bladder leaks that impacted her daily life.
Women like Souiade are not alone in their experience with urinary incontinence, which affects millions of women at various stages of life. It is not solely a result of pregnancy, as athletes and individuals with health conditions also experience it. The stigma surrounding this issue contributes to a lack of open dialogue and awareness about its causes and management.
Through the insights of experts and personal stories like Souiade’s, we aim to break the silence surrounding urinary incontinence and empower women to seek help and find solutions. By addressing the taboos and dispelling misconceptions around this common issue, we can create a more supportive and informed community for women’s health.
