Question 174

Question:

A 60-year-old woman who has had four children and completed menopause 6 years ago develops urinary incontinence whenever she coughs, sneezes, or laughs. The physician should suggest exercises to strengthen which of the following muscles?

Correct Answer: E.  Urogenital diaphragm

In women (especially in the elderly or those with multiple vaginal deliveries), there is tendency for the urogenital diaphragm (E) to weaken causing incontinence due to increase in the abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing). Strengthening these muscles (sphincter urethrae muscle (external urethral muscle), deep transverse perineal muscle, superficial transverse perineal muscle and perineal membrane) can often help this incontinence.
The detrusor (A) is the muscle around the bladder that helps expel urine by squeezing the bladder.
The obturator internus (B) and the piriformis (C) stabilize the hip.
The rectus abdominis (D) is muscle of the abdominal wall.