Stress Urinary Incontinence - How to Treat It

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common postnatal and life-stage pelvic floor issue that causes leakage during coughing, sneezing, running or lifting. While it is very common, it is not something you have to live with as physiotherapy can help.

How Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) develops

SUI occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are unable to counteract increases in abdominal pressure, often due to pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes, or ageing. Weak or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles, poor breathing mechanics, and biomechanical issues in the hips or thorax can all contribute.

Why a whole-body approach matters

Assessment often includes:

• Lower limb and hip function

• Thoracic mobility and posture

• Core and breathing mechanics

• Functional movement patterns during lifting, running or exercise

Evidence-based treatment

Supervised pelvic floor muscle training is first-line treatment for SUI. Exercises include:

• Pelvic floor bracing

• Reflex activation exercises

• Coordinated breathing and core engagement

When to seek help

You may benefit from assessment if you notice:

• Leakage with exercise, coughing, sneezing or lifting

• Reduced confidence during physical activity

• Pelvic heaviness or prolapse symptoms

The Pelvic Physio Farnham

I support women across Surrey with specialist pelvic health physiotherapy for bladder leakage, pelvic

floor dysfunction and prolapse symptoms. Book an appointment here.

References

NICE (2021). Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management (NG210).

Dumoulin, C., Hay-Smith, J., & Mac Habée-Séguin, G. (2014). Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Bø, K., Frawley, H., Haylen, B., et al. (2017). Joint report on pelvic floor muscle function and dysfunction. Neurourology and Urodynamics.