The findings in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association offer hope to people dealing with a problem that many find difficult to talk about. But it doesn't have to be that way. Burgio led the study of 197 women, many of them elderly. While the study involved only women, subsequent research has found that men who suffer from urinary incontinence can be treated in much the same way with similar results, Burgio said. It also contributes to isolation and depression.
People avoid social situations.
They avoid being out in public for long periods of time. Burgio said she knows of one woman who stayed home from her granddaughter's wedding because she was afraid she'd have an accident, and a man who ended his political career because of incontinence. I didn't know there were so many people who had the same problem. The study found that those who controlled their problem with the exercises were happiest with the results. Despite side effects, including dry mouth, Burgio said drugs shouldn't be ruled out.