Women with urinary incontinence can be quite preoccupied. They have to worry about wet panties. They keep track of the location of the nearest bathroom. A majority of these women, 78%, worry about smelling like urine. And that's only a short list of issues these women grapple with on a regular basis.

In short, many women with urinary incontinence are deeply affected by their condition. Unfortunately, so are the men in their lives. Together, the dynamic between how women deal with their condition and how their men handle the situation create a vicious cycle that can cause even the most stable relationships to deteriorate.

It's all about sex.

Urinary Incontinence: The Woman's Story
Urinary incontinence and sex often don't mix, since many women are afraid that their spouses or lovers will be "turned off" by urinary leakage during sex. The woman is too embarrassed to discuss it with her spouse, so she avoids sex. Her spouse, unaware of the situation, feels hurt and rejected.

Says one woman, Riesa Gusewelle, suffering from urinary incontinence:

"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."

That's the woman's story ... now let's take a look at the man's side of the story.

Urinary Incontinence: The Man's Side of the Story
The spouse or significant other of a woman with urinary incontinence can consider himself lucky if he even knows about her condition, since almost half of all women with this condition don't discuss their situation with anyone.

But knowing about the situation doesn't always help. Even if a man repeatedly assures his wife that her urinary incontinence does not "turn him off," his wife may not be able to hear him. One man described the situation this way:

"I've never found her urinary incontinence 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."

Breaking the Vicious Cycle
Can you see how a vicious cycle starts to form around the issue of a woman's urinary incontinence? The woman is embarrassed about her condition, despite reassurance from her spouse, so she avoids sex. The man does his best to reassure his wife, to no avail, and becomes frustrated with the situation. Relationship issues arise, and when the couple does have sex, the encounter is less than enjoyable.

The best way to break the vicious cycle is to get help.Urinary incontinence is not a terminal condition, and there is a world of help waiting for affected women. Check out the links below to learn more about how men are affected by women's urinary incontinence, as well articles on how women can get the help they need to solve their urinary incontinence.

Women with Urinary Incontinence: Are You Deaf to Spousal Reassurance?
How Men Are Affected by Women's Urinary Incontinence
How to Find the Right Doctor
3 Steps to Prepare for Your Doctor's Appointment
Facts About Urinary Incontinence to Inspire You to Get Help

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