If You Suffer From Incontinence, Here’s Why Medication Might Not be Working

If You Suffer From Incontinence, Here’s Why Medication Might Not be Working

It might come down to the contents of your bladder, and how it’s different.

Gotta pee? If you suffer from urinary incontinence, it can sometimes feel as though there’s never any relief.

An estimated 15 million adult women suffer from urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) in the U.S., which is about 15% of the entire female population.

And the astounding thing is this-about half of this group actually doesn’t respond to treatment. That’s right: if you’re one of these women, you may never feel any relief from your symptoms, even when taking medication.

Why? It isn’t that you’re taking it improperly, or neglecting your own health.

Related: How Often Should You Pee? And Other Urine-Related Questions Answered

In a study done by scientists at Loyola University Health System, it was discovered that bacteria in the bladders of healthy women aren’t the same as the cultures found in those who suffer from UUI.

“Urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) is a common, yet poorly understood, condition with symptoms similar to urinary tract infections,” said Alan Wolfe, PhD, co-investigator and professor of Microbiology and Immunology.

“If we can determine that certain bacteria cause UUI symptoms, we may be able to better identify those at risk for this condition and more effectively treat them.”

This study evaluated urine specimens of 90 women, and some of them suffered from UUI while others didn’t. The bacteria living in the bladders of healthy women had decidedly different DNA from those who had UUI.

It doesn’t help in the moment, that’s true.  But researchers are hoping that the findings can change the way incontinence is treated in women down the road.

Finally, there could be a stop to the cycle of searching for a bathroom.

Trying to gain more bladder control on your own? Try these tips.

Photo credits: ANN PATCHANAN/Shutterstock.com

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