A recent study examining the relationship between urinary incontinence and weight loss surgery found that weight loss significantly reduces involuntary urine loss. After weight loss surgery, patients reported significant improvement in bladder control.
Urinary incontinence or involuntary urine loss – what is it?
According to the International Continence Society, urinary incontinence is defined as “the involuntary loss of bladder control.” People with this condition lose urine without being able to control it. The most common cause of urinary incontinence is childbirth, after which there is impairment of the pelvic support structure. Urinary incontinence, or involuntary urination, is also a common problem among the overweight and obese.
Weight loss surgery – can it help?
A recent study of the possible effect of weight loss surgery on urinary incontinence examined women who were in a weight loss procedure program. Half of the women had been suffering from urinary incontinence before undergoing weight loss surgery. Researchers say that up to 50% of all obese women say that they lose urine, usually when they laugh or cough.
The study observed the women through their weight loss journey. After having undergone a weight loss surgery, the participants reported improvement in their conditions. One year after weight loss surgery, the participants lost about 30% of their body weight. After that loss, they all reported significant improvement or a complete disappearance of any symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Researchers also found that even those who lost weight non-surgically showed signs of improvement. The key factor that determined the degree of improvement, researchers found, was the amount of weight lost. The more a person loses weight, the less pressure there is on the bladder and the less likely the person is to lose control of the bladder.
