Effect of Practicing Deep Breathing and Kegel Exercises on Menopausal Urinary Incontinence at Beni-Suef

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common problems in menopausal women; it is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as the complaint of any involuntary loss of urine and its classification according to the presence of symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms of occurrence. The Kegel Breathing technique combines breathing and pelvic floor contraction patterns to increase pelvic floor muscular strength while performing daily activities regularly. Normal breathing occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and the breathing muscle (diaphragm) move up and down in harmony manner. Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate menopausal women's urinary incontinence before and after practice of deep breathing and Kegel exercise. Design: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized in this study (one group pre and post-test). Sample: A purposive sample of 100 Menopausal women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence. Setting: gynecological and urological outpatient clinics Beni-Suef university hospital. Tools: 1) a structure interviewing questionnaire schedule, 2) The International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire 3) Pelvic floor muscles exercises checklist. Results: about 45% of the studied women reported that their frequency of urination is several times per day preprogram but it became only 19% post program implementation. Only 32% of the studied women can accurately detect the right muscle group at the 1st week of the 1st month. However, at the end of the 1st month; 82% of them can do. Moreover, at the end of the 2nd month; 90% can do. Additionally, at the end of the 3rd month; 93% of the studied women can accurately detect the right muscle group. Conclusion: Deep breathing and kegel exercise had positive effect on women's urinary incontinence. Recommendations: disseminate brochures and booklet about kegal and breathing exercise to enhance awareness program regarding stress urinary incontinence reliving measures for elderly women.