Reasons Why Women with Long-term Urinary Incontinence Do Not Seek Professional Help: a Cross-sectional Population-based Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct

Specialties Gynecology & Obstetrics
Urology

Date 2003 Nov 18

PMID 14618304

Citations 26

Authors

Doris Hagglund

Marie-Louise Walker-Engstrom

Gregor Larsson

Jerzy Leppert

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the reasons why some women with long-term urinary incontinence (UI) seek professional help whereas others do not, their experiences and satisfactions with the healthcare services, and how women deal with their incontinence. In total, 95 women aged 23-51 years with persistent UI (median 10 years, range 6-20 years) were included in this telephone interview survey. Seventy-four percent of the women with long-term UI had not sought help. The most common reason given was that the disorder was considered a minor problem, which they felt they could cope with on their own. When women did consult professional help they did so because they were afraid of the odor of urine and that they perceived the leakage as shameful and embarrassing. These women felt that the healthcare service offered appropriate care for their condition. Pelvic floor exercises were the most commonly used management methods for all participants.

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