Health Topics

July 4, 2024

Health Topics

Alcohol and Menopause

“Drinking too much alcohol can impact menopause by:
contributing to unwanted weight gain, interfering with sleep
causing changes in your mood which may affect…”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Alcohol and Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Alcohol
Booze
Drug
Grog
Liquor
Menopause

Benefits and Risks

Is alcohol good for you or not?

In Alcohol Use: Weighing Risks and Benefits the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Research on alcohol suggests a sobering conclusion: Drinking alcohol in any amount carries a health risk. While the risk is low for moderate intake, the risk goes up as the amount you drink goes up”.²

Menopause

How can drinking too much alcohol impact menopause?

In Looking After Yourself: Alcohol the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Drinking too much alcohol can impact menopause by:

Contributing to unwanted weight gain
Interfering with sleep
Causing changes in your mood which may affect your relationships
Triggering hot flushes and night sweats

In the long term, heavy drinking can also lead to an increased risk for developing some cancers, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and poor bone health”.³

Cancer

Is there an association between alcohol and cancer?

In Alcohol and Cancer: Alcohol and Cancer (United Kingdom) Drinkaware.co.uk note:

“Drinking alcohol has been identified as something that can cause seven types of cancer:

Breast cancer
Bowel cancer
Mouth cancer
Food pipe (oesophageal) cancer
Upper throat (pharyngeal) cancer
Voice box (laryngeal) cancer
Liver cancer

Heavy drinking can also cause cirrhosis of the liver (where damage to the liver causes scar tissues to build up) which can then lead to cancer”.⁴

Breast Cancer

Is there an association between alcohol and breast cancer?

The JH explain:

“Regular alcohol consumption increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. This risk rises with the level of alcohol consumed, so a reduction in alcohol consumption by women who drink alcohol regularly may reduce their breast cancer risk”.⁶

In Alcohol: What Is High-Risk Drinking? Drinking In Midlife the JH also note:

“Research shows that the consumption of alcohol in women aged 45 to 64 years has increased since 2001. This is concerning, as about 75% of breast cancer cases happen in women aged 50 years and over”.⁵

Alcohol + Smoking

Is there an association between alcohol + smoking and a greater risk of cancer?

In Alcohol and Cancer: Drinking and Smoking Combined Lead To A Greater Risk of Some Cancers Drinkaware.co.uk explain:

“If you drink alcohol and you’re a smoker too, this increases your risk of developing throat, mouth, food pipe and bowel cancers, more than doing either on their own.

People who use both alcohol and tobacco have a five-fold increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and food pipe compared to people who use either alcohol or tobacco alone. For heavy users, the risk is up to 30 times higher”.⁷

Osteoporosis

Is there an association between alcohol and osteoporosis?

In Osteoporosis: Symptoms & Causes – Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Excessive alcohol consumption. Regular consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk of osteoporosis”.⁸

Women and Alcohol

If women choose to drink alcohol, what does moderate drinking mean?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) this may vary. For the United States in Alcohol Use: Alcohol Use and Your Health – Understanding Alcohol Use: Moderate Alcohol Use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note:

“Moderate drinking is having one drink or less in a day for women, or two drinks or less in a day for men”.⁹

For the United Kingdom in UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines the Drinkaware.co.uk elaborate on:

“The Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for both men and women are:

To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread your drinking over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries
The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis
If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days every week”.¹⁰

High-Risk Drinking

What are the health effects of high-risk drinking?

According to the JH:

“High-risk drinking can have short-term and long-term effects on your health. Short-term effects can include poor sleep, headaches, dehydration and changes in mood. Long-term effects can include alcohol dependence, depression, weight gain and increased risk of some cancers (e.g. breast cancer)”.¹¹

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to drink, drink less or stop drinking?

If you would like to drink, drink less or stop drinking, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking the Mayo Clinic note:

“Drinking moderately if you’re otherwise healthy may be a risk you’re willing to take. But heavy drinking carries a much higher risk even for those without other health concerns. Be sure to ask your healthcare professional about what’s right for your health and safety”.¹²

The JH explain:

“If you or someone you know needs alcohol support, talk to your doctor. They will give you information and may recommend counselling, treatment and support programs”.¹³

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Alcohol and Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Alcohol and Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

Looking After Yourself: Alcohol. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol Use: Weighing Risks and Benefits. 21 June 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 04 July 2024
Looking After Yourself: Alcohol. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol and Cancer: Alcohol and Cancer. Last Reviewed: 27 January 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-cancer Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol: What Is High-Risk Drinking? Health Effects of High-Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol: What Is High-Risk Drinking? Drinking In Midlife. Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol and Cancer: Drinking and Smoking Combined Lead To A Greater Risk of Some Cancers. Last Reviewed: 27 January 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-cancer Accessed: 04 July 2024
Osteoporosis: Symptoms & Causes – Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices. 24 February 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968 Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol Use: Alcohol Use and Your Health – Understanding Alcohol Use: Moderate Alcohol Use. 15 May 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/ Accessed: 04 July 2024
UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines. Last Reviewed: 30 June 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-the-facts/low-risk-drinking-guidelines Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol: What Is High Risk Drinking? Health Effects of High-Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits – Deciding About Drinking. 21 June 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 04 July 2024
Alcohol: Where To Get Help. Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 04 July 2024

Topic Last Updated: 06 October 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 July 2024

July 4, 2024/by MWD

July 4, 2024

Health Topics

Urinary Incontinence

“Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you…”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Urinary Incontinence Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Bladder Incontinence
Bladder Weakness
Continence
Incontinence
Light Bladder Leakage (LBL)
Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Urinary Incontinence (UI)
Weak Bladder

Bladder Control Problems

What are bladder control problems?

DotS the definition of bladder control problems may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK) definition is:

“Bladder control problems are conditions that affect the way a person holds or releases urine”.²

Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence (UI)?

DotS the definition of UI may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time”.³

Women and Men

Is UI more common in women than in men?

In the United States according to the (United States) Cleveland Clinic in Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Who Gets Urinary Incontinence?:

“Incontinence is much more common in women than in men. This is often related to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Each of these experiences can cause a woman’s pelvic support muscles to weaken over time”.⁴

Common Types

What are common types of UI?

The (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“Most people with urinary incontinence have either stress incontinence or urge incontinence”.⁵

Different Types

What are different types of UI?

DotS different types of UI may include:

Stress Incontinence
Urgency Incontinence
Mixed Incontinence
Functional Incontinence
Overflow Incontinence
Total Incontinence

1. Stress Incontinence

What is stress incontinence?

DotS the definition of stress incontinence may vary. In Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Stress Incontinence the NIDDK’s definition is:

“Stress incontinence occurs when movement—coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity—puts pressure on the bladder and causes urine to leak”.⁶

In Urinary Incontinence In Women the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:

“Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is more common, affecting 1 in every 5 women. Women who have not had a baby have a 1 in 10 chance of developing SUI, while for those who have had a baby, the chance rises to approximately 1 in 3”.⁷

2. Urgency Incontinence

What is urgency or urge incontinence?

DotS the definition of urgency incontinence may vary. In Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Urgency Incontinence the NIDDK’s definition is:

“Urgency incontinence occurs when you have a strong urge or need to urinate, and urine leaks before you can get to a toilet. Urgency incontinence is often referred to as overactive bladder. This type of incontinence happens when certain nerves and bladder muscles don’t work together to hold urine in the bladder, and the urine is released at the wrong time”.⁸

In Urinary incontinence: Urge Incontinence – About Urge Incontinence the Continence Foundation of Australia elaborate on:

“People who experience urge incontinence get a strong feeling to urinate (wee) even when the bladder isn’t full. This can occur in both men and women and involves a strong urge to urinate, often followed by loss of urine before reaching the toilet. If you experience urge incontinence you may also have the need pass urine more frequently”.⁹

3. Mixed Incontinence

What is mixed incontinence?

DotS the definition of urge incontinence may vary. The NHS’s definition is:

“Mixed incontinence is when you have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. For example, you may leak urine if you cough or sneeze, and also experience very intense urges to pass urine”.¹⁰

4. Functional Incontinence

What is functional incontinence?

DotS the definition of functional incontinence may vary. In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough”.¹¹

5. Overflow Incontinence

What is overflow incontinence?

DotS the definition of overflow incontinence can vary. The Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely”.¹²

6. Total Incontinence

What is total incontinence?

DotS the definition of total incontinence may vary. In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Other Types of Urinary Incontinence: Total Incontinence the NHS’s definition is:

“Urinary incontinence that’s continuous is sometimes known as total incontinence.

Total incontinence may cause you to constantly pass large amounts of urine, even at night. Or you may pass large amounts of urine only occasionally and leak smaller amounts in between”.¹³

Overactive Bladder

What is overactive bladder (OAB)?

In Urinary Incontinence – Symptoms: Overview – Symptoms: Common Types of Urinary Incontinence – Urge Incontinence the NHS note:

“As well as sometimes causing urge incontinence, overactive bladder syndrome can mean you need to pass urine very frequently, including several times during the night”.¹⁴

Cause

What may cause UI?

In Urinary Incontinence: Urinary Incontinence Overview the (United States) National Association for Continence (NAFC) note:

“Many people do not realize that there are many different types of urinary incontinence or reasons that you may cause you to leak urine”.¹⁵

In Urinary Incontinence: Causes [+ Diagram] the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“The pelvic floor muscles (muscles that support the bladder, bowel and uterus) can stretch and weaken, leading to continence issues.

Incontinence can also happen when pelvic floor muscles are too tight (overactive).

Urinary incontinence can be caused by:

Pregnancy and childbirth
Prolapse
Constipation or regular straining when going to the toilet
Repetitive lifting of heavy weights – at the gym, at work, in the garden or even when lifting children
Being overweight or obese
Coughing caused by smoking and chronic lung disease
Chronic sneezing (e.g. due to hay fever).

Urinary incontinence is also associated with:

Changes around the time of menopause (e.g. the pelvic floor becomes weaker and the bladder less elastic)
Diabetes
Pelvic or abdominal surgery
Certain medicines such as fluid tablets (diuretics)”.¹⁶

Aging

Is there an association between aging and UI?

In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic note:

“Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence”.¹⁷

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and UI?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urine Leakage? the NAMS explain:

“No. Women and girls have urinary incontinence (involuntary leaking of urine) but it tends to increase with age. Other factors that have been associated with incontinence include diabetes, obesity, weight gain, depression, hysterectomy, family history, and use of hormone therapy. Some disorders of the pelvic floor (the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support a woman’s internal organs) also may be responsible for the urinary leakage”.¹⁸

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – Bladder Health the JH note:

“Lower levels of oestrogen after menopause can affect your bladder health, including:

Weak pelvic floor muscles
Loss of elasticity of the bladder
Thinning of the urethral and bladder lining, which could lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
loss of elasticity in the pelvic tissues

These factors can lead to incontinence (i.e. you might wee when you don’t want to). While this can be embarrassing, it is very common”.¹⁹

Sex

Can UI prove troubling with sex?

According to the NAMS:

“Sex is one area where urinary incontinence can prove troubling. Urinary leakage during intercourse is estimated to affect up to a quarter of women with incontinence. This can be embarrassing for women and lead them to avoid intercourse or to worry about leakage to the point that they are unable to relax and enjoy sex”.²⁰

Prevention

Can UI be prevented?

In Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Preventing Urinary Incontinence the NHS elaborate on:

“It’s not always possible to prevent urinary incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it happening.

These include:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Changing your drinking habits, including cutting down on alcohol
Doing pelvic floor muscle exercises”.²¹

Treatment

What may UI treatment involve?

In Managing Incontinence In Perimenopause & Menopause: Treating Incontinence During Your Perimenopause and Menopause Years the NAFC elaborate on:

“The first thing you’ll want to remember is that bladder leaks during menopause are not normal, and other incontinence problems are not things that simply have to be endured. If you find that you’re having issues with incontinence during your menopause years, don’t just shrug your shoulders and assume that this is par for the course. Instead, take action now – it’s far better than suffering for years, especially with a condition that is eminently treatable. Below are some of the things you can do if you find that incontinence is an issue for you during this time.

Watch your diet…
Pelvic floor strengthening…
Physical therapy…
Posture…
Weight management…
Improve sleep…
Hormone therapy…
Other medications…
Pessaries…
Third line therapies…
Surgery…”.²²

Products

Are products available to help manage UI?

Your Country may have a website similar to the international Continence Product Advisor.org or the (United States) Continencecentral.org which may provide information about different types of continence management products or a Helpline.

Helpline

Do some Countries have a national Continence/Incontinence Helpline?

Yes. Your Country may have a Helpline similar to the Continence Foundation of Australia’s National Continence Helpline.

Toilet Maps, Cards or Apps

Do some Countries have toilet maps, cards or Apps?

Yes. Your Country may have a toilet map similar to Australia’s National Public Toilet Map. About the Toilet Map explains:

“The National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 23,000 public and private public facilities across Australia, including toilets, adult change and baby care. Information is provided about each toilet, such as location, accessibility details, opening hours and features like sharps disposal and showers”.²³

Or your Country may have a card or App similar to the (United Kingdom) Bladder & Bowel Community’s (B&B) Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have UI?

If you think you have UI, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Bladder Conditions and Symptoms the B&B note:

“The first and most important point to remember is that everyone with a bladder problem can be helped and many can be completely cured”.²⁴