I seem to have a fair bit of what's called "Stress incontinence." I mean, even when I was really young, if I laughed SUPER hard, I might leak a bit. But as I got older, it got worse. Now, if I get a cold and cough or sneeze a lot, I get quite a bit of leakage.
I'd mentioned it to my doctor and he was describing horrifying things like surgery (which I'd do if I absolutely HAD to) and a pessary (ICK!) and I was trying exercises and it seemed to not resolve anything. Then my weight crept up higher and it seemed worse. So I thought "Why is it worse." "What changed?" Well, it was two things. Yes, I'm older- I get older every minute- right? LOL! But also I did get heavier.
So I was at the doctor's last week- I'd already lost several pounds but my weight had gone up so he certainly couldn't discern that. So anyway, I revisited the issue with him. I asked him if I lost most or all the excess weight, (which I'd like to do anyway) - could that possibly help? He said probably. I also found articles on the net about it. I also found one that said if one DOES get the surgery but stay overweight, the problem returns. I can see why that might be. Anyway, the doc's given me about 6 months to work on the weight before he and I sit down and discuss this seriously, sending me to a specialist. It is my hope that by then (I'll probably cheat and take 7 or 8 months. heh.) that I'll know whether or not the weight loss is affecting the stress incontinence.
I've probably lost close to 15 pounds so far and to really get to goal, I'd need to lose about another 55 or so. I'm almost over the last dregs of this idiotic cold or flu or whatnot and when it's all gone, I plan to start going to the gym again as I do have a membership that I've not been using but have been paying for.
This health issue is a bit embarrassing. I had heard it was common in women who'd had several kids but I never had ANY. But I'm hoping, anyway, that I can get it either knocked out or at least greatly minimized by my weight loss which seems to be going pretty well.
So that's an additional reason to the other reasons I'd already had for wanting to lose the weight.