Winning the Battle Against Urinary Incontinence
Picture this – you’re out to lunch with friends on a perfect sunny day. You grab a seat on the patio, order a fruity cocktail, and laugh at old stories. Then you feel it…a sneeze coming on. You try to hold it back, crossing your legs for extra insurance. But the sneezes come…one, two, three. And despite your best efforts, you feel that dampness you dread.
It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. And it’s far more common than most women Veterans realize.
As a Veteran, you’ve faced challenges that demanded independence, strength, and grit. But incontinence can chip away at your confidence, making you rethink social outings, travel plans, workouts, and even what you wear.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to live with urinary incontinence. Imagine life without pads, without mapping out every bathroom in advance, and without limiting how much you drink just to get through the day.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What urinary incontinence is
- How menopause may make it worse
- Unique factors women Veterans face
- How to finally treat incontinence at home, with Flyte
Navigating Menopause and Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence sounds like a fancy clinical term, but it simply means any involuntary leakage of urine. This may be a few drops after the bathroom, a small leak during exercise, or a full “can’t make it to the toilet” moment. It’s a medical issue, not a personal failing, and it rarely improves on its own without treatment.
For many women, menopause is a turning point. Associated hormonal changes, especially the sharp decline in estrogen, can cause thinning of pelvic floor tissues and make leaks first appear or become more frequent. This cluster of changes is called the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which is characterized by symptoms including vaginal dryness, urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
During menopause, up to 70% of women experience GSM symptoms. If incontinence began before menopause, it may worsen during this time. If it’s new, the changes of menopause often play a role. Add in life factors like childbirth history, previous injuries, reduced muscle mass, and constipation, and it’s easy to see why leaks become more common.
Why Women Veterans May Face Higher Risk
Military service brings unique demands, both physically and logistically, that can affect bladder health long-term. For example, during active duty you may have had limited bathroom breaks and reduced your fluid intake to cope. While it seemed practical at the time, chronic dehydration can lead to constipation, concentrated urine, and more bladder irritation – all of which contribute to incontinence over time. Or, you may have trained with high-impact activities, which are linked to higher rates of urinary incontinence.
Layer menopause on top of that, and symptoms can suddenly escalate.
Treatment Options That Work
Now let’s get to the heart of the matter. The good news? Effective, conservative treatments exist, and you can access them through the VA.
If your symptoms began around menopause, talk to your women’s health provider about:
- Hormone replacement therapy or topical estrogen to address GSM symptoms
- Specialty menopause clinics or women’s health specialty services within your VA
- Flyte, an FDA-cleared, at-home treatment for stress urinary incontinence and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles that is fully covered by the VA
Why Flyte?
- Clinically proven in 2 published studies to deliver outcomes comparable to surgery
- Treat from the comfort of home
- See results as early as 2 weeks in a recommended program of 5 mins/day for 6 weeks
- Includes personalized Flyte onboarding and support from Flyte’s Patient Support Team, staffed by pelvic health clinical specialists
- Covered by the VA and available on the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)
Your Next Steps
You’ve served your country – you deserve care that serves you. Ask your VA women’s health or primary care provider about Flyte.
To make it simple, download our “Ask Your Doctor About Flyte” packet and bring it to your next appointment or send it directly through your MyHealtheVet patient portal.
See how women Veterans are finding freedom from urinary incontinence and getting back to activities they love, thanks to Flyte.
“Flyte worked for me! I could finally laugh without peeing myself. I went from 2 pads per day to none. It helped me connect with my pelvic floor—I actually knew where it was! I have told my friends and family about Flyte and even posted about it on Facebook!”
– A 42-year-old Veteran at the Altoona VA
“I suffered with significant urinary urgency and bladder leakage. I have used Flyte for 8 weeks, going to stick with it for a full 12 weeks, and have had great success so far! I have gone from 4 pads/day down to 1-2 pads/day. My leaking doesn’t bother me nearly what it used to, and my daily life is much easier now without constantly changing a pad! Flyte is so easy to use – I would highly recommend!”
– A Veteran at the Long Beach VA
“I used to stop at every single bathroom and at every single store. I avoided drinking water to avoid going to the bathroom. After using Flyte, I could make it over an hour away, shop, and no longer pee my pants or rush for every bathroom. I no longer pee with coughing, sneezing, or laughing. I went from using 2 pads per day to nothing! I told my friends about Flyte because they cross their legs to not pee their pants. Flyte helped me tremendously!”
– A Veteran at the Iron Mountain VA
“After 4 weeks of using Flyte, I no longer wear pads! I was using 3 pads a day and now nothing! No longer peeing with laughing, coughing, sneezing, or bending over! I no longer have to run to the bathroom or leak on the way to the bathroom. I used to carry a bag of pads with me and my friends would borrow some, but recently they asked and I had to tell them about my success with Flyte and I don’t use pads anymore!”
– A Veteran at the Pittsburgh VA
“After struggling with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and tension since age 25 due to military sexual trauma, I was prescribed Flyte by my OBGYN. After just six weeks, the results have been life-changing for me! I feel confident, free to hang out with friends, and able to plan trips without worrying about leaks or pelvic pain. Before Flyte, I relied on two pads daily. Now, I use none. No longer do I panic about finding a bathroom or being on a plane. Flyte has given me mental space and the freedom to live fully again. I’ve recommended it to three other women who also saw great results! I wish more people knew about this life-changing solution!”
– 31-year-old Veteran at the San Diego VA
“I struggled with severe urinary incontinence for more than 10 years. After just 4 weeks of using Flyte, I felt a huge difference, and I was confident enough to ditch my pads completely, not to mention some fecal incontinence symptoms too. I went from using 6 pads a day to none! I was amazed—my sudden leaks and urgency were under control.”
– 53-year-old Veteran at the Fayetteville VA