{"id":27861,"date":"2020-10-12T06:47:54","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T13:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/?p=27861"},"modified":"2020-10-13T07:50:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T14:50:57","slug":"female-urinary-incontinence-helping-clients-move-from-caution-to-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/female-urinary-incontinence-helping-clients-move-from-caution-to-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Female Urinary Incontinence: Helping clients move from caution to confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kerry Ann Madden<\/p><\/div>\n

While Urinary Incontinence occurs in both men and women, this post will address our female clients and how we can help improve their quality of life through our own knowledge and informed programming choices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The secret women hate to share<\/b><\/p>\n

Ask your female friends\u2026 women will talk about \u201cpeeing their pants\u201d but only with their peers. Often it is when one of them comments about a leak during double unders or while laughing hysterically at an episode of \u2018Schitt\u2019s Creek\u2019. Most do this as a way to commiserate, if they even talk about it at all. This common place \u201cYea, that happens to me too\u201d response leads to living with leaking as the status quo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the National Association For Continence, one in four women over the age of 18\u00a0experience episodes of urine leakage<\/span>. The fact is that many women are reluctant to talk about these episodes. Instead, they opt to secretly plan their lives around the possibility of an accident. Over time, this problem can escalate from simply wearing a panty liner to hypervigilance over the location of the nearest bathroom. (Yes, there are apps for that!) Yet, on average, it takes\u00a0 6.5 years to seek help for this problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As fitness professionals, it is important to realize our clients may be reluctant to divulge information about their urinary incontinence (UI), whether out of embarrassment, denial or some other reason. That is why, when designing an appropriate fitness program, it is essential to take into consideration all the factors that possibly affect our client\u2019s safety and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Urinary incontinence causes<\/b><\/p>\n

First, it might be helpful for you to know the many causes of UI, ranging from muscle imbalance and nerve damage to medications. While the most common causes are pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, incontinence factors can also include weight gain, and consuming dietary irritants, such as spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>There is also growing evidence that many female athletes in high impact sports are at a greater risk for developing UI.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two distinct types of UI: Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence. A third category called Mixed includes women who experience both types.<\/span><\/p>\n