[38F] Experiencing urinary incontinence and severe abdominal pain post multiple surgeries

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms and medical history, the following conditions might be causing your urinary incontinence:

• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): This is a common type of urinary incontinence in women, especially those who have had multiple pregnancies and vaginal deliveries. It occurs when physical movement or activity — such as coughing, sneezing, running, or heavy lifting — puts pressure (stress) on your bladder, causing you to leak urine. The fact that you've had two C-sections and a hysterectomy may have weakened your pelvic floor muscles, contributing to this condition.

• Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI): This is a type of urinary incontinence characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. UUI is also known as "overactive bladder."

• Mixed Urinary Incontinence: This is a combination of stress urinary incontinence and urgency urinary incontinence. You might experience both symptoms of losing urine with a cough or sneeze and also having the urge to urinate before losing urine.

• Interstitial Cystitis: This is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe.

What you can do

1. Pelvic floor exercises: Also known as Kegel exercises, these can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter. These exercises are especially effective for stress incontinence but can also help urge incontinence.

2. Bladder training: This involves training your bladder to delay voiding when you feel an urge to urinate. You begin with small delays, such as 30 minutes, and gradually work your way up to urinating every three to four hours.

3. Double voiding: This can help you learn to empty your bladder more completely to avoid overflow incontinence. Double voiding means urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again.

4. Scheduled toilet trips: Scheduling toilet trips can help you regulate your bladder. You urinate every two to four hours rather than waiting for the need to go.

5. Fluid and diet management: This means regulating your fluid intake. It can help reduce your bladder's work and prevent your bladder from stretching out over time. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and acidic foods. They can irritate your bladder and worsen your symptoms.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your incontinence is accompanied by blood in the urine
• You have severe pain in your lower abdomen or back
• You are unable to urinate at all

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the symptoms you've told me. It's always a good idea to see a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.