Stress incontinence refers to the type of incontinence you experience when you leak urine while laughing, sneezing, coughing, switching positions or walking. Women who have had vaginal births, difficult deliveries, larger babies or sustained muscle or nerve damage during the birth face a higher risk of developing stress incontinence.

While this condition is often temporary, sometimes women need help regaining control of the pelvic floor muscles that support their bladder and control urine flow.

The physical therapists with the Incontinence Program at Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital can help you overcome incontinence using educational and therapeutic techniques. Therapists may employ some or all of the following:

• Kegel exercises: These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. You may think you know the right way to do them, but many women actually do not. Therapists will teach you how to do them correctly to maximize their effectiveness.
• Education: Understand how your bladder and pelvic floor work together. You’ll keep a voiding diary to track and learn about your bathroom habits.
• Biofeedback: By using real-time data and feedback, your therapists will see if you are performing Kegel exercises correctly.
• Electrical stimulation:  If you are not physically able to do Kegel exercises, therapists can use special electrodes that send an impulse to your muscles telling them when to expand and contract.