Stating that a clear relationship between menopause and urinary incontinence has not been proven today, Prof. Dr. Tufan Tarcan, “The incidence of urinary incontinence increases after menopause. However, we do not know whether this is due to aging or hormonal changes. In summary, with age, the probability of urinary incontinence increases in both men and women. However, when the estrogen hormone decreases in the body, what effect does it have on urinary incontinence; we don’t know that.” he said.
Systemic Estrogen replacement therapy increases the likelihood of tension urinary incontinence
Prof.Dr. Dr. Tufan Tarcan, “After menopause, the estrogen hormone given systemically increases the possibility of tension urinary incontinence. When the decreased hormone is given, the patient with tension type urinary incontinence is more likely to leak urine. However, such an effect is not seen in estrogen treatments applied locally via the vaginal route; vaginal estrogen reduces complaints such as vaginal dryness, vaginal pain, urethral pain, pain and burning during ligation
. Therefore, in the clinic, we recommend local estrogen treatments in patients with vaginal dryness and symptoms related to vaginal dryness. Local estrogen therapy also has a place in the control of recurrent urinary tract infections in this patient group.” made a statement.
Independent risk factors for female urinary incontinence; aging, overweight, childbearing and pregnancy, listed by Prof. Dr. Tufan Tarcan said, “The rate of urinary incontinence is higher in the elderly and the young, those who have given birth to a child, those who are pregnant and those who are not pregnant, and those who are obese compared to those with normal weight. But there is no clear link
between menopause and urinary incontinence.” said.
Noting that there is a clear connection between menopause and other urinary symptoms, Prof. Dr. Tufan Tarcan continued: “We see urinary tract infections more frequently after menopause. We know that the lack of estrogen hormone plays a valuable role here. With re-menopause
, we are more likely to encounter unpleasant symptoms such as pain, burning, pain during sexual intercourse, burning during urination, cystitis in the vagina and urethra region. There is an interest amid these urological conditions with menopause to mark the occasion.”
In the treatment of urinary incontinence, treatment should be done according to the underlying cause
Saying that when a patient with urinary incontinence comes across, if there are signs of local vaginal atrophy, then they can add local estrogen therapy to the treatment of urinary incontinence. Dr. Tufan Tarcan, “However, this should never mean that it will be sufficient for the treatment of urinary incontinence alone. It should only be considered as adjunctive therapy or complementary therapy. In the treatment of urinary incontinence, physical, medical or surgical treatment should be performed depending on the underlying cause
. In addition, if there are signs of vaginal atrophy in clinical symptoms, local estrogen therapy should be added to the treatment of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women. Systemic treatments may have more dire results. Local estrogen therapy as complementary and adjunctive therapy in tension-type urinary incontinence should be applied in symptomatic
patients.” said.
Stating that only bladder pads designed for this job should be used until the treatment of incontinence patients, Prof. Dr. Tufan Tarcan said, “We see a predisposition to weight gain and depression in postmenopausal patients. Weight gain is a condition that increases urinary incontinence, it should be paid attention to. Smoking, alcohol, tea and coffee consumption increase the risks of menopause in all respects. Reducing tea and coffee consumption is very valuable
, especially in women with very active bladder symptoms.” said.
Prof. Dr. Tufan Tarcan concluded his words as follows: “Actually, the relationship between menopause and urinary incontinence has not been clearly determined. However, there is an increase in the incidence of urinary incontinence after menopause, but it is not known exactly whether this occurs because the patient is getting older or because the estrogen hormone is decreasing. When you give estrogen systemically to post-menopausal women, tension urinary incontinence
increases in severity and frequency. While waiting for benefit, the opposite is wasted. However, when we apply estrogen locally only inside the vagina, such a damaging effect does not occur.
On the contrary, women who have vaginal dryness or who experience sensitivity in the urinary tract due to vaginal dryness, or who have frequent urinary tract infections, can benefit from local, namely vaginal, estrogen therapy. It is not possible to cure urinary incontinence only with estrogen therapy, but let us emphasize that.”
