According to the most recent ratings, approx 8 million people, alone in Germany, live with an urinary incontinence (colloquially called bladder weakness) which requires treatment or care and the number is continually increasing. Women are, however, more frequently affected and age is not even an important factor.
The causes are manifold. Young women often suffer from a weak bladder during or after a pregnancy. - It can even be a consequence years later. Hormonal change in the menopause, overweight, various illnesses or operations can also result in a weak bladder.
The most frequent cause for incontinence in women is the so-called strain or stress incontinence: The closing device of the urethra no longer functions properly: It happens if one laughs or coughs, when carrying heavy things or in sport – the bladder suddenly begins to empty itself – involuntarily and without any possibility of preventing it. The reason is often weak muscles in the pelvic floor.
Bladder weakness is not a life-threatening illness. However, it has a long-term effect on the physical and mental well-being and represents a loss in the quality of life.
The most recent investigations have shown that not even half of all affected women speak about it with their doctor. Incontinence is wrongly still a taboo subject in the public eye and thus little discussed. .
