LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — On this Women’s Health Wednesday, Tamera Douglas, an advanced practice registered nurse with Carti Urology, shared insights into common urologic concerns affecting women of all ages.
From frequent bathroom breaks to accidental leakage, these issues are more common than many might think.
“About 50 to 60% of women will have at least one urinary tract infection during their lifetime, and nearly 62% will experience some type of urinary incontinence,” said Douglas.
She emphasized that these conditions affect thousands of women worldwide and are nothing to be embarrassed about.
Douglas explained that there are various treatment options available for urinary tract infections, including increasing water intake, maintaining proper hygiene, and using cranberry tablets.
Traditional treatments like antibiotic therapy and vaginal estrogen therapy for post and perimenopausal women are also effective.
When it comes to urinary incontinence, Douglas described stress incontinence, which occurs during activities like coughing or sneezing, and urge incontinence, characterized by a sudden need to urinate.
Treatment options vary based on the type of incontinence but can include avoiding caffeine, pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, and non-invasive surgical procedures.
Douglas noted that these issues can start as early as 18 years old and encouraged women to open up conversations about their symptoms, especially after pregnancy.
“Having babies weakens the pelvic floor muscles, making women more susceptible to leakage and incontinence,” she said.
For those dealing with an overactive bladder, Douglas recommended avoiding bladder irritants like coffee and spicy foods, following timed voiding schedules, and considering medications or non-invasive procedures like Botox injections or bladder stimulators.
Douglas urged women not to suffer in silence and to seek help.
“We want your symptoms to be heard. We want you to feel like you are being taken care of,” she said, encouraging women to reach out to Carti Urology or their primary care provider for support.
With these insights, Women’s Health Wednesday aims to empower women to address their urologic concerns with confidence and humor.
