Fellowship-Trained Urogynecologist
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Green Bay, Wisconsin
✓ Medically reviewed March 2026
Urinary Incontinence and Weight
If you’ve noticed bladder leakage that started or worsened with weight gain, there’s a direct connection. Excess weight places chronic, increased pressure on the pelvic floor — and this is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for urinary incontinence. The encouraging news: even modest weight loss can lead to meaningful improvement.
Why This Happens
Extra abdominal weight presses down on the bladder and pelvic floor continuously. This chronic pressure weakens the support structures over time and makes all types of incontinence worse — stress, urge, and mixed.
Dr. Stewart explains: “Weight is one of the factors I always discuss because it’s something patients can actively work on, and the evidence for improvement is strong. A 5-10% reduction in body weight can reduce incontinence episodes by half or more.”
Signs You Should Seek Help
- Bladder leaking that started or worsened with weight gain
- Incontinence that limits your physical activity
- Symptoms that haven’t improved with weight management alone
Treatment Options
- Weight management — even losing 10-20 pounds can significantly improve symptoms
- Pelvic floor physical therapy — strengthening the muscles while reducing the load on them
- Combined approach — addressing weight alongside other incontinence treatments for the best results
- Specialist evaluation — weight management shouldn’t delay getting proper treatment
Dr. Stewart notes: “I never tell a patient she must lose weight before I’ll treat her incontinence. We address all factors simultaneously. But I want patients to understand the powerful role weight plays — it’s one of the most impactful changes you can make.”
Your Next Steps
Weight management combined with appropriate incontinence treatment is a powerful combination. A urogynecologist can help you address all the contributing factors together.
Learn more about urinary incontinence
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Dr. Stewart understands the unique challenges you're facing and is here to help.
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