Stress incontinence is an extremely common form of incontinence particularly among women under 40 years of age.
This condition causes the involuntary flow of urine when even the slightest pressure is applied to the bladder or lower abdominal area.
Common causes can be a hearty laugh, sneezing, coughing or and activity that requires the use of the abdominal muscles.
Continence issues arise when the muscles of the lower abdomen become weakened and lose their tone.
Women who go through a pregnancy and childbirth subject these muscles to an extraordinary amount of trauma and can stretch or otherwise damage this muscle group.
Women who undergo long labor, the use of forceps in the delivery or a very large baby are more likely to develop the condition than those women who have a "normal" delivery.
Along with the pelvic floor muscles, the sphincter that controls the flow of urine through the urethra can also be damaged increasing the likelihood of involuntary flow.
This condition, coupled with a muscle group that can no longer effectively support the bladder's position in the body is a mixture that will probably result in incontinence.
Of course in order to treat this situation you have to be sure of the diagnosis which means you need to make an appointment at your doctor's office.
This condition by itself is not a disease but a symptom of underlying conditions.
Knowing what those conditions are and treating them can cure or at least manage the continence problem.
Many times these treatments are simple lifestyle changes like avoiding certain natural diuretics and spicy foods that irritate the bladder.
For stress incontinence the treatment is often Kegel exercises.
These isometric exercises work the muscles of the pelvic floor and can restore their tone in approximately three months.
They are easy to do and require no special equipment or space to perform them.
This condition can be cured or managed and there is no reason to live with it.