What is Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)?
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a common pelvic floor disorder that leads to the unintentional leakage of urine during physical activities that put pressure on the bladder and urethra. This includes everyday movements like coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, or lifting heavy objects. Approximately one in three women experience stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at some point in their lives, according to the Urology Care Foundation.
SUI occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the bladder and urethra weaken, often due to changes such as childbirth, menopause, or the natural aging process. A major contributing factor in women is vaginal laxity—a loss of firmness and support in the vaginal tissues. This can be linked to decreased estrogen levels, which in turn affect collagen production and the integrity of the vulvo-vaginal mucosa. The result is less support for the urinary tract and increased chances of leakage during exertion.
Will SUI get worse over time?
For some, SUI will remain stable for years, while others may notice worsening over time. According to Aesthetic Solutions PA-C Garrett, several life events and conditions can contribute to the progression of SUI, including:
- Aging: Natural loss of muscle tone and tissue support.
- Menopause: Lower estrogen levels impact tissue elasticity and collagen.
- Childbirth: Vaginal deliveries, especially multiple or difficult births, can strain or damage pelvic floor structures.
Will kegels fix SUI?
Kegel exercises, which involve consciously contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, can be a helpful first-line approach to managing mild SUI. These exercises aim to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra. The effectiveness of kegels depends on consistency, technique and severity of incontinence.
What treatment options are available?
Because SUI is a combination of muscle and tissue, options typically target one of these contributing factors, not both. Your OBGYN may recommend treatment as simple as kegels, all the way to surgical solutions like a mesh sling. At Aesthetic Solutions offer ThermiVa, which helps SUI by targeting the vaginal tissue to better support the bladder.
What is ThermiVa Like?
ThermiVa is a non-surgical, FDA-cleared treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to gently heat vaginal tissues. This stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, helping to restore strength and elasticity to the vaginal tissues. ThermiVa can be used on both internal and external tissues, including the labia for tightening. The treatment itself takes about 30 minutes and typically feels a bit warm. Using radiofrequency differs from CO2 devices like the MonaLisa Touch and FemTouch, which often have drastically more pain and downtime.
If you are interested in treating SUI in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, contact our office for more information on treatment.
