Many women who have urinary incontinence (UI) suffer from embarrassment, depression, and low self-esteem. This isn’t surprising, since studies show that many women with UI assume that it is a natural part of aging so they don’t seek help. Instead, they simply use coping mechanisms to avoid embarrassing situations—like limiting social activities, avoiding sex, and using adult diapers.

What is surprising is the fact that women with UI may have a great deal of difficulty overcoming the psychological and emotional impact of their condition, despite reassurances from their spouses. Riesa Gusewelle, a woman with UI, put it this way:

“I felt unattractive and unappealing. It stressed my sexual relationship with my husband, even though he reassured me that everything was fine. I was depressed and always felt that I could smell urine.”

Riesa is by no means unusual in feeling unattractive. In fact, some women are embarrassed to the point that they won’t share much of their symptoms or suffering with their significant other. Says one husband of a woman suffering from UI:

“Even though my wife had UI for 12+ years before she got help, she didn’t let her condition have much impact on my life. I think I was the first person she told about her condition, but I’m not sure. I’ve never found her UI to be offensive but it affected our sex life anyway. I’m not sure how much her incontinence affected our sex life, but I know it had a definite effect.”

Does this tell you how big a role embarrassment plays in the life of a woman with UI, despite reassurances from her spouse?

Does this sound like you? If so, please don’t turn a deaf ear to the help that’s available. Learn how you can create a positive outcome for your situation by reading our “How the Story Ends” section. Here we highlight the major therapies that are helping many women successfully lessen or cure their UI symptoms.

How the Story Ends