Stress incontinence

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Stress leaks: treatments that work

Dr. Laurence Peyrat, a urologist in Paris, assesses and treats stress urinary incontinence using effective and personalized solutions.

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What is stress urinary incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence is the most common form of incontinence in women. It manifests as involuntary leakage of urine when pressure is applied to the bladder, caused by physical exertion, sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
These leaks occur without a feeling of an urgent need to urinate and can affect daily, social and professional life.

What are the symptoms?

  • Urinary incontinence during physical exertion (sports, lifting heavy loads),
  • Leaks when coughing, sneezing, or laughing,
  • No associated sensation of urinary urgency,
  • Loss of self-confidence, social awkwardness,
  • Sometimes skin irritation occurs due to prolonged contact with urine.

What are the causes?

Stress incontinence is due to an insufficiency of the urinary sphincter or to a weakening of the pelvic floor which no longer properly supports the urethra.

Common causes include:

  1. Childbirth (perineal trauma),
  2. Aging and menopause (drop in hormones),
  3. Previous pelvic surgeries ,
  4. The occurrence of repeated exertion or intensive practice of certain sports,
  5. Obesity or chronic cough (tobacco, respiratory diseases).

When should I consult Dr. Laurence Peyrat?

  • You notice recurring urinary leakage with the slightest exertion,
  • These leaks impact your social or professional life,
  • You are experiencing physical or psychological discomfort related to these losses,
  • You want to know the treatment options that are right for your situation.

How does the diagnosis process work?

The diagnosis is based on:

  1. A detailed consultation to understand your symptoms and their impact,
  2. A clinical examination with evaluation of the perineum,
  3. Sometimes additional tests such as urodynamics ,
  4. An assessment of lifestyle and risk factors.

What are the solutions?

  • First essential step,
  • Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles,
  • Improves urethral support,
  • Performed by a specialist physiotherapist.
  • They are not very effective in stress incontinence, but are sometimes prescribed when associated with other forms of incontinence.
  • Placement of suburethral slings (minimally invasive technique),
  • Reference solution for moderate to severe forms,
  • Rapid, outpatient intervention
  • Lasting results with a high success rate.
  • Weight loss in cases of overweight,
  • Avoid excessive exertion,
  • Treating chronic coughs.

Why consult Dr. Laurence Peyrat?

  • Recognized expertise in female functional urology,
  • Regular practice of perineal rehabilitation, placement of suburethral slings and other treatments,
  • A personalized and human approach, tailored to each patient.
  • Careful monitoring before, during and after treatment to ensure the best quality of life.

My review in video

I made this video to explain simply what stress urinary incontinence is, its main causes, the mechanisms involved, and possible solutions to effectively remedy it.

Do you suffer from incontinence?

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Stress incontinence

My review in video

My review in video

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How to recognize stress incontinence?

Incontinence occurs during physical exertion—coughing, sneezing, laughing, sports, lifting heavy objects—without any prior urge to urinate. It is linked to a lack of support in the urethra or a weakness in the sphincter.

What are the causes in women?

Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, repetitive strain (chronic constipation, coughing, high-impact sports) and the aging of connective tissues can all contribute to this condition. There is also a familial predisposition.

What is the first-line treatment?

Pelvic floor rehabilitation, which strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, improves or cures more than half of mild to moderate stress incontinence cases. Weight loss is also very effective in cases of overweight.

What if rehabilitation isn't enough?

The suburethral sling is the standard treatment, with 85 to 90% long-term success. Periurethral bulking agents offer a less invasive alternative in certain situations. The choice is discussed after evaluation.

Dr Laurence Peyrat's expertise

Chirurgienne Urologue à Paris

Dr Laurence Peyrat

Stress incontinence: there are solutions.

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