Author: Summit UroGynecology

Leaking urine when you laugh is not funny. It is both embarrassing and worrisome. It can lead to isolation for fear of urinating in public. Known as stress incontinence, it is the most common type of incontinence, and it usually affects women more than men. I pee when I laugh: is this normal? Let’s find out.

Reasons for Stress Incontinence

You might call these reasons risk factors since they all contribute to pressure on the bladder and having stress incontinence.

Getting Older

Physical changes to our body as we get older lead to our tissue health decreasing especially due to menopause and the drop in estrogen. This also explains why women are more susceptible to stress incontinence than men. Menopause and less estrogen particularly affects the tissue that supports the bladder.

In addition, the muscles that support your urinary tract, known as the pelvic floor, also become weak.

Pregnancy

Being pregnant puts a lot of stress on your bladder as the baby continues to grow.

Obesity

Carrying around too many pounds also puts extreme pressure on your bladder.

Other risk factors include having diabetes, having a hysterectomy, or a uterine prolapse. All these risk factors are normal consequences, but it is important to understand stress incontinence can be treated, and you shouldn’t put it off as a normal part of life.

Symptoms of Stress Incontinence

Chronic coughing and smoking leads to stress incontinence. Anything we do that puts pressure on our bladder can cause a leak. This includes simple things like laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting something heavy, or doing exercises.

With moderate to severe stress incontinence you can leak almost a tablespoon of urine doing other simple activities like standing up, bending over, or even having sexual intercourse.

There Are Solutions

Just because stress incontinence is part of your life right now doesn’t mean you must live with it.

• Take action and lose some weight if you are obese or overweight.
• Begin doing Kegel exercises to tighten the muscles in your pelvic area. Here are some step-by-step instructions.
• Talk about several options or non-invasive procedures which can relieve the symptoms.

Contact  Summit Urogynecology at  (330) 953-3414 t for solutions if you are experiencing symptoms of stress incontinence.

Uterine fibroids may be common, but symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain can cause uncommon (and discouraging) disruptions to your everyday life. A myomectomy is a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.

Our care team offers minimally invasive myomectomy, using advanced laparoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques whenever appropriate. This approach allows us to treat fibroids with precision while supporting a smoother recovery.

What Is a Myomectomy?

A myomectomy is a procedure to remove uterine fibroids (noncancerous growths) while leaving the uterus in place. This makes it an important option for women who want relief from symptoms but prefer to preserve fertility or avoid a hysterectomy.

Depending on the size, number, and location of fibroids, our care team will recommend the most appropriate surgical approach for you.

What Is Minimally Invasive Myomectomy?

Minimally invasive myomectomy is performed using small incisions and specialized surgical instruments, often with laparoscopic or robotic-assisted technology.

This approach allows our care team to remove your fibroids with enhanced precision while minimizing disruption to the surrounding tissue. Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive techniques usually result in less discomfort and a faster recovery, making them a popular option.

What Symptoms Can Fibroids Cause?

Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms. However, some people experience:

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Pelvic pressure or fullness
• Frequent urination
• Pelvic pain or discomfort
• Pain during intercourse
• Difficulty becoming pregnant

If these symptoms are affecting your daily life, our care team may recommend a myomectomy.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Myomectomy

Whenever possible, minimally invasive surgery is preferred because of its many advantages:

• Smaller incisions and minimal scarring
• Less postoperative pain
• Reduced blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to normal activities
• Preservation of the uterus

This approach allows many patients to recover more comfortably while achieving effective symptom relief. Often, our patients who undergo minimally invasive myomectomy are able to return to everyday activities in about two weeks.

What to Expect During the Myomectomy Procedure

Minimally invasive myomectomy is typically performed under general anesthesia.

During the procedure:

1. Small incisions are made in the abdomen
2. A camera is inserted to provide a magnified view of the uterus
3. Specialized instruments are used to carefully remove fibroids
4. The uterine tissue is repaired to support healing

The length of the procedure depends on the size and number of fibroids being treated. When you talk with our care team, we can help you get a clearer picture of what a minimally invasive myomectomy might look like for you.

Recovery After Minimally Invasive Myomectomy

Recovery times vary, but minimally invasive myomectomy generally allows for a quicker return to daily activities compared with that of open surgery.

After the procedure, you may experience:

• Mild to moderate abdominal discomfort
• Fatigue for several days
• Light spotting or bleeding

Many of our patients return home the same day or after a short hospital stay. Light activity can often be resumed within a few days, with a gradual return to normal routines over the following weeks.

We’ll give you detailed recovery instructions and monitor your progress during follow-up visits.

Is Minimally Invasive Myomectomy Right for You?

Not all fibroids require surgery, and not every patient is a candidate for a minimally invasive approach. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, imaging results, and personal goals to determine the best treatment plan.

At Summit Urogynecology, we focus on individualized care, helping you understand your options and choose the approach that best fits your needs.

Your 40s can bring a lot of changes to a woman’s body, and some of them get talked about more than others. There’s plenty of online (and in-person!) discussion around weight gain, muscle loss, and even thinning hair. One area that often doesn’t get talked about enough? Pelvic health.

Many women notice changes in bladder control, pelvic pressure, intimacy, or discomfort during this stage of life, even if they’ve never had issues before. That’s because hormonal shifts, aging muscles and connective tissue, pregnancy history, stress, and everyday wear and tear can all come into play.

Regardless of whether these symptoms are widely discussed, many pelvic changes are common and treatable! Today, we’re breaking the silence on pelvic changes in your 40s and opening up about symptoms, perimenopause, and how you can take control and start feeling like yourself again.

Bladder Leaks Become More Common

One of the most common changes women notice in their 40s is occasional bladder leakage. You might leak a little urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or rushing to the bathroom. It can feel embarrassing, but many women deal with it – it’s just that they don’t talk about it!

Leaks can happen because the pelvic floor muscles naturally weaken over time. Pregnancy and childbirth can also place lasting strain on these muscles. Hormonal changes during perimenopause may also make bladder tissues thinner and more sensitive.

Fortunately, women don’t have to silently accept pelvic floor changes and frustrating symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle changes, bladder training, and other treatments can often help significantly.

Pelvic Pressure or Heaviness

Some women describe a sensation of heaviness, fullness, or pressure in the pelvis, especially after prolonged standing or exercise. In some cases, this may be related to pelvic organ prolapse, which occurs when the bladder, uterus, or rectum descends because of weakened pelvic support tissues.

Pelvic organ prolapse can sound alarming, but mild cases are very common, especially after childbirth and during perimenopause. Symptoms can range from mild pressure to a noticeable bulge or discomfort.

If something feels “off,” it’s worth bringing up with your healthcare provider. There are many treatment options available, including pelvic floor therapy and minimally invasive procedures when needed.

Changes During Intimacy

Hormonal changes in your 40s can also affect vaginal and pelvic tissues. Some women notice vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, reduced sensation, or pelvic muscle tightness. These changes are often connected to fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause. Lower estrogen can affect tissue elasticity, moisture, and blood flow.

This is yet another topic many women quietly struggle with, even though it is extremely common. Lubricants, vaginal moisturizers, pelvic floor therapy, and hormone-related treatments may help, depending on the cause.

Constipation and Bowel Changes

Pelvic floor changes can sometimes affect bowel movements, too. Some women notice more constipation, difficulty fully emptying, or increased pressure during bowel movements.

The pelvic floor muscles help support both bladder and bowel function, so when those muscles become tight, weak, or uncoordinated, digestive symptoms can sometimes appear alongside urinary symptoms.

Lower Back, Hip, or Pelvic Pain

Not all pelvic floor symptoms feel obviously “pelvic.” Sometimes the signs show up as aching hips, lower back pain, tailbone discomfort, or pelvic tension. The muscles and connective tissues in the pelvic area are closely connected to the core, hips, and lower spine. When one area is strained or weakened, other areas often compensate.

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing discomfort that never seems fully explained, pelvic floor dysfunction may be part of the picture.

The Role of Perimenopause

Many women begin perimenopause in their 40s, even if their periods are still regular. Hormonal fluctuations during this transition can affect bladder function, tissue strength, sleep, energy, mood, and pelvic comfort.

Unfortunately, many women don’t have awareness of these changes ahead of time. Symptoms are often brushed off as “just getting older,” even when treatments and support are available. Understanding what is happening in your body can make these changes feel much less overwhelming.

Don’t Arrange Your Life Around Your Pelvic Symptoms

A lot of women spend years silently dealing with pelvic discomfort, bladder leaks, pressure, or pain because they assume it’s normal after childbirth or with aging. These issues are common, not non-negotiable!

Talking with a healthcare provider can help identify the cause of your symptoms and connect you with treatment options that improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life. Sometimes small changes make all the difference.

Call (330) 953-3414 to schedule an appointment with Summit Urogynecology today.

Many patients find discussing or dealing with bowel incontinence challenging. Those who are regularly faced with such issues find it embarrassing for both them and their loved ones. Nevertheless, it remains a topic that needs clarification. Let’s consider handling bowel incontinence: causes and treatments.

Continue reading “Handling Bowel Incontinence: Causes And Treatments” →