Living with Urinary Incontinence: Potential Risks of Women’s Health? A Qualitative Study on the Perspectives of Female Patients Seeking Care for the First Time in a Specialized Center

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) represents a complex problem which commonly affects women and influences their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of a group of women with urinary incontinence. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study. Purposeful sampling was used. Recruited patients were females aged >18 years old with positive symptoms, signs of urinary incontinence, and attending a specialized urinary incontinence center for the first time. We collected data using interviews and participants’ personal letters. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: 18 women participated with a mean age of 47.32 years. Four themes emerged: a) Experiencing uncontrolled urinary leakage, b) Information based on beliefs and myths regarding UI, c) Adapting to change and developing strategies, d) The role of education. Women’s experiences were accompanied by feelings of stress and shame. A lack of information regarding UI was found, together with numerous misconceptions. Urinary incontinence triggers many changes in women. Some women may develop feelings of rejection towards their own body. Family involvement during these times is essential for education and promoting healthy sexual practices. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of developing educational programs that focus on women’s information and education regarding triggering factors and coping strategies.

It's About Time: The Temporal Burden of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Women

“…Managing LUTS can become the driving organizational principle of daily life, leading to a loss of spontaneity and reduction of valued activities. These findings are consistent with recent research on the disruptive impact that maintaining urinary continence has on women's daily routines and activities, which can be disturbed and interrupted by symptoms and the time-consuming self-management strategies they employ to cope with continence (Esparza et al, 2018;Mendes et al, 2017;Pintos-Díaz et. Al, 2019).…”

Quality of life among pregnant women with urinary incontinence: A cross-sectional study in a Malaysian primary care clinic

“…They wear pads to ensure they are dry, but at the same time, they were worried about the urine smell, especially at the workplace or in transportation. Some of them feel embarrassment due to UI and have low self-esteem [ 23 ].…”

Phthalate Exposure Enhances Incidence of Urinary Incontinence: US NHANES, 2003-2004 and 2005-2006

“…Hence, it can be debilitating the life quality and satisfaction of life in this population. Additionally, the ongoing pain will cause a signi cant burden for individuals and the healthcare system (Abrams, et al 2010;Farrington, et al 2015;Pintos-Díaz, et al 2019). Many factors were involved in the progression of UI, including chronic diseases, medicine, intrapartum-related complications and environmental factors (Sun, et al 2016;Tähtinen, et al 2016).…”