Stress Urinary Incontinence – What It Is and Why It’s Worth Addressing?
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition in women, characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine during physical effort, coughing, sneezing, laughter, or lifting heavy objects. While it is not life-threatening, it can significantly reduce quality of life, causing discomfort, limiting daily activities, reducing participation in physical activity, and negatively affecting mental well-being.
Untreated SUI is also associated with a greater risk of urinary tract infections and worsened daily functioning. One of the most important risk factors is overweight and obesity, as excess body mass increases pressure in the abdominal cavity and additionally strains the pelvic floor muscles, which can worsen symptoms.
The good news is that weight reduction can significantly alleviate symptoms, and a combination of pelvic floor muscle exercises, lifestyle modifications, and professional support often leads to meaningful improvement.
Symptoms
Stress urinary incontinence shows itself as involuntary urine leakage in situations that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as:
- coughing, sneezing, laughter
- fast walking, running, jumping
- lifting heavy objects
- standing up, bending down, physical exercise
The leakage usually occurs without a sensation of sudden urge to urinate and may range from a few drops to larger amounts. Over time, symptoms can intensify, limiting daily activities, social life, and intimate relationships.
In women who are overweight or obese, symptoms tend to be more frequent and severe due to increased load on pelvic floor muscles.
Conditions of participation:
be 18 years old or older
have had SUI symptoms persisting for at least 3 months
experience ≥10 episodes of urinary leakage per week
have a BMI (Body Mass Index) ≥ 27 kg/m²
not have given birth within the last year
have had fewer than 4 urinary tract infections in the previous year
We provide participants with:
free diagnostic and monitoring tests (including pelvic and bladder examinations)
access to innovative treatment
ongoing medical care throughout the study period
education on lifestyle changes
nutritional support
You can find other benefits of participating in a clinical trial on the “What are clinical trials?” tab.
Duration of the study
58 weeks
Join us!
Form
Principal Investigator
lek. Anna Szwabowicz
