Exercise-induced urinary continence is a form of stress incontinence. Urine leakage results from increased pressure in the abdominal area. This type of incontinence can also result from actions like sneezing, coughing and lifting heavy objects. You can do several things to successfully address the issue, mostly in the realm of self-care.
Cause
A number of muscles are involved in controlling urination and supporting the bladder. When they weaken, you have a harder time controlling the release of urine. Walking and other physical actions can increase pressure on these muscles, leading to leakage.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Excess pounds worsen stress incontinence by increasing pressure on the bladder and muscles. According to Mayoclinic.com, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can improve stress incontinence.
Behavioral Therapy
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that behavioral therapy is one of the most successful treatments of urinary incontinence. This involves adjusting habits related to urination. Your doctor can help you design a behavioral therapy plan. Common aspects include scheduling bathroom visits for specific times and timing fluid intake. Behavioral therapies can help you retrain your bladder and improve leakage control.
Strengthening the Pelvic Floor
The muscles of your pelvic floor control urination. Kegel exercises, designed to strengthen these muscles, will also improve function of the urinary sphincter. The movement you perform to stop the flow of urine involves the pelvic floor muscles. The exercises involve squeezing and releasing these muscles for a set number of repetitions and sets. Mayoclinic.com recommends working with a doctor or physical therapist to learn how to do the exercises properly and cautions they will only work as long as you keep them up.
Incontinence Devices
You can wear urethral inserts -- similar to tampons -- during times of physical activity. This can prevent urine leakage due to movement. You can also wear them throughout the day, but they are primarily designed for use during specific times, such as during exercise.
Alternative Therapies
Some alternative treatments might help deal with exercise-induced incontinence. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains research has shown women who received acupuncture treatments experienced fewer incidences of urinary incontinence compared to women who did not receive any treatments. Licensed acupuncturist Ronda Wimmer, writing for Acupuncture Today, advocates acupuncture sessions along with certain Chinese herbal formulas such as liu wei di huang wan, jin gui shen qi wan, suo quan wan and bu zhong yi qi wan. You should consult with an acupuncturist or a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine for guidance on choosing the most effective herbs for your individual symptoms.
Herbal and homeopathic therapies that might help with urinary incontinence include St. John's wort, causticum, natrum muriaticum, sepia and zincum
