Weight Loss Helps Urinary Incontinence

Obviously without extra pounds putting pressure on the bladder, urinary incontinence can be greatly improved.  

One PRIDE study followed 338 overweight and obese women who experienced at least 10 urinary incontinence episodes per week.  Subjects followed an intensive 6-month weight loss program, and lost an average of 8% body fat. 

The results, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that weight loss significantly reduced the number of incontinence episodes.

This was attributed to a reduction in stress incontinence, although urge incontinence was also reduced. The women in the weight loss group perceived greater improvement in their condition overall.

This is yet another inspiration for many people to take initiative in losing weight. Many patients need multiple reasons to begin a weight loss program, and the hope of alleviation of a variety of symptoms associated with weight can be important driving factors for a patient to take the first step in making a commitment to take their weight seriously.