STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE

Stress incontinence: understand your symptoms and your options

Stress urinary incontinence is urine leakage that happens when pressure is placed on the bladder, such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercise. Find out more about recognised management and how our private EMS service fits into the wider picture.

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Your information is treated with care.

Clear information

Understand your options, with clear information and no pressure.

Questions welcome

Questions are welcome. We can explain the service and what a consultation involves.

COULD THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

Common signs of stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is leakage linked to pressure on the bladder. Common triggers include coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting and physical activity.

Leakage with coughing or sneezing

Urine may leak when pressure on the bladder rises during coughing or sneezing.

Leakage during physical activity

Running, jumping, lifting or other activity can increase pressure on the bladder and trigger leakage.

Leakage with laughing

Laughing can increase pressure around the bladder and lead to urine leakage.

When to seek advice

Persistent or troublesome urinary leakage is worth discussing with a GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

UNDERSTANDING STRESS INCONTINENCE

What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence in which urine leaks when the bladder is placed under extra pressure. It is different from urge incontinence, where leakage is associated with a sudden and difficult-to-defer need to pass urine.

The pattern and impact of symptoms can vary. An appropriate assessment can help establish what is happening and which management options are suitable.

Pressure-related leakage

Leakage linked to coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercise.

Urgency symptoms

A sudden, strong need to urinate that can be difficult to defer.

Stress incontinence

Urine leakage linked to pressure on the bladder.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

A range of approaches may be considered

There are different ways stress urinary incontinence may be managed. The appropriate approach depends on symptoms, circumstances and clinical assessment.

Assessment

A GP or healthcare professional can assess your symptoms, medical history and possible contributing factors.

Pelvic-floor muscle training

Supervised pelvic-floor muscle training is a recognised first-line approach for women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence.

Other clinical options

If symptoms remain troublesome, a healthcare professional can discuss further options according to the assessment.

Discuss private EMS suitability

Our private service Exeter can explain its process and discuss suitability; it does not replace medical assessment.

Your appropriate options depend on your symptoms and clinical assessment.

IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING EMS

A straightforward process

Our consultation process is designed to give you clear information and help you decide whether our private EMS service may be suitable for you.

Consultation

Discuss your symptoms, medical history and questions about the private service. The consultation does not diagnose a medical condition.

Suitability

We’ll review the information you provide and discuss whether the service may be suitable for you.

Sessions

If you decide to proceed, we can arrange your EMS sessions at a time that works for you.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Book a consultation

Get clear, honest information about stress incontinence and whether our private EMS service may be suitable for you.

SUITABILITY & SAFETY

Important information

Urinary leakage can have different causes. Our private service is not appropriate for everyone, and suitability depends on individual circumstances and the relevant device guidance.

Your safety is important to us. Device-specific safety information should be checked against current manufacturer guidance and the service’s verified records.

Key considerations

May not be suitable for everyone

Certain medical circumstances may require further advice before treatment.

We follow applicable manufacturer safety guidance.

Speak to a GP if you have concerns or symptoms requiring medical assessment.

If you have symptoms that require medical assessment, we recommend speaking to a GP or other qualified healthcare professional.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Your questions, answered

Clear, practical answers about stress urinary incontinence, recognised management approaches and where our private EMS service fits.

What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence Exeter is urine leakage that happens when pressure is placed on the bladder, such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise.

Source: NHS — Urinary incontinence symptoms

What commonly triggers stress incontinence?

Common triggers include coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting and physical activity because these can increase pressure on the bladder.

Source: NHS — Urinary incontinence symptoms

What treatment is usually recommended first?

For women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence, NICE recommends supervised pelvic-floor muscle training for at least 3 months as first-line treatment.

Source: NICE NG123 — Recommendations

Can pelvic-floor muscle training help?

Pelvic-floor muscle training is a recognised treatment approach for stress urinary incontinence. NICE recommends a supervised programme for women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence.

Source: NICE NG123 — Recommendations

Where does private EMS fit into stress incontinence care?

Private EMS should be considered separately from established first-line management. Incontinence Direct can explain its private mobile service and discuss suitability, but it does not replace appropriate medical assessment.

Further information: NHS — Urinary incontinence

Will the treatment work for me?

Individual responses vary. The service does not guarantee a particular outcome, degree of symptom improvement, duration of benefit or number of sessions required.

Further information: NHS — Urinary incontinence

EVIDENCE & FURTHER INFORMATION

Reliable. Evidence-informed.

We base condition information on recognised NHS and NICE guidance. These sources are independent of Incontinence Direct and are provided so readers can review the guidance directly.

Incontinence Direct Exeter is an independent provider.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or part of the NHS or NICE.

STILL HAVE A QUESTION?

Talk to our Exeter team about your circumstances

We’re here to help. Get in touch for a confidential chat about your symptoms, the service or any other questions.