The study, which involved over 1,000 participants, found that those who practiced yoga regularly had a significant reduction in urinary incontinence. The researchers found that yoga helped to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which are responsible for bladder control. This finding is particularly significant because pelvic floor muscles are often weakened by age, childbirth, or other medical conditions. For example, women who have given birth multiple times are more likely to experience pelvic floor muscle weakness.
In the other program, 121 women with urinary incontinence did a regular strength training program. The study found that both yoga and strength training were effective in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms. However, the researchers found that strength training was more effective than yoga in reducing the severity of urinary incontinence. The study also found that both yoga and strength training improved participants’ quality of life.
This is based on a research study that investigated the impact of yoga on urinary incontinence. The study involved participants who had varying degrees of severity of incontinence. The findings suggest that regular yoga practice could be a promising avenue for managing urinary incontinence, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
This statement is backed by evidence. Research has shown that pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective in treating urinary incontinence. A study published in the Journal of Urology in 2013 found that PFMT can improve bladder control and reduce the frequency and severity of incontinence episodes.
Should I start doing yoga for urinary incontinence? Huang says doing any low-impact exercise may be helpful. “Some people may feel that the study provides good evidence to recommend this type of yoga to women with urinary incontinence,” she says. “Other people might argue that much of the potential benefit of yoga for incontinence might be shared with other forms of low-impact, muscle-strengthening exercise.” But taking up a yoga habit can’t hurt. “There are definitely some yoga-specific exercises that pelvic floor therapists teach patients that’s helpful,” says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “I would never discourage a patient from wanting to try this.”
However, it’s also recommended that you try to maintain a healthy weight, do your best to avoid constipation, and do pelvic floor muscle exercises like kegels, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In more extreme cases, taking medications, getting Botox injections, and even having surgery may help, per the NIDDK. Pelvic floor physical therapy can also help to strengthen the muscles involved in bladder control, Rawlins says. If you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, Huang recommends taking a careful look at the medications they’re using for other health problems, or asking your doctor about them. “Some of these may be contributing to or worsening their bladder problems,” Huang says.
She also suggests lowering the amount of coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks you have, given that these can make you need to pee more. Ultimately, if you’re struggling with urinary incontinence, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can talk you through treatment options or refer you to a specialist who can help.
