Kegels vs. Medication: A Modern Approach to Treating Urinary Incontinence
Article At A Glance
- Kegels offer convenience and long-term effectiveness but require consistent effort.
- Medications may provide immediate relief but come with potential side effects and costs.
- Kegel exercises offer a cost-effective and natural alternative to medication for strengthening pelvic floor muscles.
Understanding Urinary Incontinence and Its Impact on Quality of Life
Urinary Incontinence Is a common clinical problem characterized by the involuntary leakage or loss of urine. This problem affects more women than men, with its prevalence and severity increasing as people age. In this post, we’ll discuss two treatments of UI and address the Kegel vs. medication debate.
UI patients often experience issues when they sneeze, cough, work out, or have a sudden sense of urgency to urinate, all of which can cause stress and fatigue. While all of these different reasons for UI tend to manifest as distinct symptoms, there’s a common denominator: incontinence affects your quality of life.
In many aspects of patients’ lives, social relationships and sexual function suffer from UI symptoms. It may decrease your quality of life, especially if you’re one of the many people who suffer from UI and deny or hide the problem because of feelings of shame. As such, the primary consequences might include a loss of self-confidence and social isolation, as well as a reduction in sexual or just daily physical activity.
The Traditional Approach: Medications for Treating Urinary Incontinence
Medications for treating UI depend on the type of UI a patient suffers from and the severity of the symptoms. Examples of medicines used to treat incontinence include the following:
Anticholinergics
These medications calm an overactive bladder, potentially helping to treat urge incontinence. Examples may include:
- Darifenacin
- Oxybutynin
- Tolterodine
- Fesoterodine
- Solifenacin
Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)
This medication can increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold and relax the bladder muscle. It may also help you empty your bladder by increasing the amount you can urinate once.
Alpha Blockers
These medications work for men with urge or overflow incontinence. They make it easier to empty the bladder by relaxing the bladder neck muscles and muscle fibers in the prostate.
Topical Estrogen
Topical estrogen applied as a low-dose vaginal cream, patch, or ring may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas.
Botox
Botox might help patients who don’t respond to other medications. Botox injections into the bladder muscle might benefit patients who suffer from overactive bladder or urge incontinence.
Botox paralyzes the bladder muscle and blocks the actions of acetylcholine (a chemical messenger that sends signals to the brain to trigger bladder contractions linked with an overactive bladder).
A Modern Alternative: The Power of Kegel Exercises for Strengthening Pelvic Floor Muscles
Anything that stresses your pelvic floor muscles can weaken them and cause them to be less supportive of your pelvic organs. Certain life events or health conditions like pregnancy, surgery, or childbirth can weaken your pelvic muscles and compromise their function.
Enter Kegel exercises, a modern alternative to strengthening pelvic floor muscles. Much like you may strengthen other muscles in your body by exercising and lifting weights, Kegel exercises help keep your pelvic floor muscles strong and “fit.”
Kegel exercises can boost bladder control and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. The exercises typically require you to tighten your pelvic floor muscles for about three to five seconds and then relax them for a similar amount of time.
Start with a few Kegels at a time, then gradually increase the duration and number of Kegels in each set. Two to three Kegel daily exercises should strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Clinical Studies
Research findings by University of Minnesota researchers compare Kegel vs. medications and posit that Kegel exercises are the most effective way to address urinary incontinence in women. Based on a review of almost 100 randomized controlled trials published from 1990 to 2007, the study established that Kegel exercises were two to three times more effective than most drugs or devices used to treat incontinence.
The author, Dr. Robert Kane, said Kegel exercises appear effective across all age ranges, regardless of whether women develop incontinence when they get older or while pregnant. The review also found that while some medical treatment options proved effective for treating incontinence, others had no effect or worsened the condition.
The Battle of Kegels vs. Medications: Pros and Cons
Kegel’s exercise for urinary incontinence stands out for its cost-effectiveness. However, you must keep doing the exercises for them to solve your UI struggles. You should do Kegel exercises for several months for them to be effective, and then do them again from time to time.
When it comes to medications for UI, you also need to consider the cost involved. Some medicines are expensive, especially if they have adverse side effects or fail to work for your condition. Plus, when comparing medications for urinary incontinence in women vs. Kegel, Kegels stand out as a more effective way to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Advantages and Limitations of Kegels
Once you get the hang of it, you can do Kegels anytime, anywhere — while waiting in line, at your work desk, or at home in bed. While Kegels offer an easy and natural way to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, they have a few drawbacks.
Like other exercises, Kegels require proper form and practice to yield results. You want to make them part of your daily regimen for the most effective results, which may sometimes prove challenging to incorporate into your day.
Advantages and Limitations of Medications
In the debate between kegel vs. medication for urinary tract issues, the medication options for UI offer advantages, such as improved symptoms and increased quality of life. Patients can regain control over their bladder function. However, using medications to treat UI requires appropriate evaluation by qualified medical practitioners.
Pharmacists can offer educational support to patients by questioning and monitoring the efficacy and side effects of various medications. Although medication can help to manage UI, the relatively poor treatment effect and the potential for side effects emphasize the need to focus on lifestyle treatments rather than relying on medication.
Additional Read: truSculpt iD vs. CoolSculpting: Which Stands Out as The Better Choice?
Take Control of Your Bladder Health Today With Jovem Medspa
At Jovem Medspa, we understand the impact of UI on daily life, and our team of experts looks forward to helping you regain control of your bladder and boost your confidence. We employ a personalized approach to address the root cause of your incontinence.
Our team has plenty of experience with various types of pelvic floor disorders. We prioritize your health and well-being, providing a supportive environment for your journey to better bladder health. Regardless of the kind of UI you’re suffering from, there’s a suitable solution.
Don’t let UI compromise your quality of life—take your first step toward freedom and improve your lifestyle with Kegel vs. medication or alternatives. Call Jovem Medspa today at (210) 900-3945 to schedule an appointment!
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