Incontinence: Why are women more vulnerable?

Million people in Germany suffer from temporary or permanent urinary incontinence:
Women are more frequently affected than men.

Patients in Germany with urinary incontinence (frequency in percent)
Age

Women

Men
under 65 years

1.1 million - 5.0%

0.2 million - 1.0%
over 65 years

1.5 million - 14.7%

0.5 million - 8.0%
together

2.6 million - 14.7%

0.7 million - 9.0%
Source: Society for Incontinence Aid Association, urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction Quality Manual, 2000


The female sphincter is vulnerable to a weakening, as the male.
The figures show that women are much more frequently affected by incontinence than men. The reason for this is the peculiarity of the female sphincter system to search. The female sphincter system is much more fragile and vulnerable than the male sphincter system, although both are basically constructed the same. Organic and biochemical changes, frequent bladder infections, hormonal changes, for example due to pregnancy or menopause can give rise to a weakening of the sphincter. In particular, the loss of tone of the pelvic floor muscles resulting in weakness of the sphincter, because loops of pelvic floor muscles form the external urinary sphincter.


The muscles of the pelvic floor is weakened more common in women.
In pregnancies relaxes the pelvic floor muscles always something. This is necessary so that it can pass through the birth of the child's head. Here, the pelvic floor muscles are stretched to their limits. Therefore, adequate protection and an active pelvic floor exercises after childbirth is very important. Lack of estrogen causes a weakening of connective tissue. The muscles in the pelvic area, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum holds them in place is supported by connective tissue. Due to the slight general weakness in the institutions may reduce slightly. The urethra itself, but remains in place and does not change its position. It is then only slightly more curved. This allows the bladder sphincter does not function properly. This is another reason for the predominant occurrence of urinary incontinence in women after menopause.