Many women suffer from embarrassing illnesses.

Doctors perform surgery on women suffering from urinary incontinence. Photo: PHONG LAN

Mrs. PPN (79 years old, Kien Giang province) has had to wear diapers for about 8 years due to urinary incontinence. Whenever she feels the urge to urinate, urine automatically leaks out; she can't hold it in. She has visited many hospitals but hasn't found a treatment method that she feels comfortable with.

At the Urology - Nephrology - Andrology Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. PPN was further diagnosed clinically with grade 3 bladder prolapse, with part of the bladder completely protruding from the vagina, accompanied by increased urethral mobility, thus worsening her urinary incontinence.

To definitively treat Mrs. N., the doctor prescribed endoscopic bladder suspension surgery combined with the placement of a TOT urethral mesh (which supports the weakened urethral muscle rings). After the surgery, Mrs. N.'s health stabilized.

According to Dr. Le Phuc Lien, Head of the Female Urology Unit, Center for Urology, Nephrology and Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, urinary incontinence is divided into several types: urge incontinence, occurring immediately upon feeling the urge to urinate and inability to hold it in; stress incontinence, occurring when coughing, sneezing, laughing loudly, or carrying heavy objects; overflow incontinence, occurring when the bladder is not completely emptied, causing urine to leak out in small amounts; and mixed incontinence.

Besides, there are many other causes and risk factors that can lead to urinary incontinence in women, such as consuming beverages and foods that irritate the bladder like beer, wine, coffee, tea, and spicy or sour foods; urinary tract infections; being overweight or obese; certain nerve injuries; chronic constipation; pelvic trauma; diabetes; overactive bladder, etc.

According to Doctor Lien, urinary incontinence causes many inconveniences and troubles for women. Many women with severe urinary incontinence have to wear sanitary pads or diapers all day, leading to feelings of shame and insecurity in social interactions, reluctance to participate in social activities, and a tendency to become withdrawn, even avoiding sharing their problems with family members.

In addition, women who experience prolonged urinary incontinence may develop skin problems such as ulcers, itching, and rashes; and frequently experience recurrent urinary tract infections.