Why do some women have problems with urine leakage and prolapse?
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are extremely common. It is estimated that 11% of women will need surgery for SUI or POP in their lifetimes, and many more either use non-surgical methods or suffer in silence. We know that there is at least partially a genetic component, because certain families or ethnic groups have high incidence of prolapse and incontinence. Ask family members whether they have had problems with this since many people are reluctant to talk about it unless asked. Hernias may be an ancillary marker for poor connective tissue and risk of prolapse. Vaginal childbirth is a significant risk factor for pelvic floor problems. The more vaginal births, the larger the baby, the longer a woman pushes in the second stage of labor, the use of forceps or vacuum to deliver the baby, all increase the risk of future problems. Other conditions that chronically increase abdominal pressure like obesity, chronic cough, chronic constipation, and frequent h
