Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control ranging in severity from a little leaked urine when you cough or sneeze to experience the urge to pee so suddenly that you don’t have time to get to a toilet.
There are several types of urinary incontinence:
Stress incontinence is the most common continence problem in women. It is the loss of urine when stress is placed on the bladder due to coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or heavy lifting.
Urge incontinence is also a common continence issue. It is a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Overactive bladder is a type of urge incontinence, although not everyone with overactive bladder leaks urine.
Overflow incontinence occurs when one cannot adequately empty the bladder, which results in the frequent or constant involuntary dribble of urine.
Functional incontinence is common in older adults, who may experience continence problems due to a physical or mental impairment.
Mixed incontinence occurs when an individual experiences more than one type of continence problem.
Short-term incontinence describes continence problems due to urinary tract infections, constipation, or certain foods, beverages and medications. Once these issues are addressed, the continence problem resolves.
Symptoms of urinary incontinence may include:
Involuntary (accidental) release of urine ranging from small leaks or dribbles to a large volume that wets your clothing
Urine leakage when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, etc.
Sudden, intense urges to urinate and/or the need to urinate often
A weak urine stream
Feeling that your bladder is not empty, even after urinating
Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Urinary incontinence can be caused by:
Weakened pelvic floor muscles, which may be due to pregnancy, childbirth or weight gain
Problems or damage either in the urinary tract or in the nerves that control urination
Bladder disease or irritation
Urinary tract obstructions
Prior pelvic surgeries
Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease
Emotional stress
Your physician can diagnose urinary incontinence using the following tests:
Urinalysis for signs of infection, traces of blood or other abnormalities
Pelvic ultrasound and electrodiagnostic testing, which measures the nervous system’s control of the pelvic organs
Bladder capacity testing and cystoscopy, which is used to view the inside of the urethra and bladder.
Postvoid residual measurement using ultrasound or catheterization.
Urinary incontinence can be treated with:
Behavioral techniques such as bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, double voiding, and fluid and diet management
Prescription medications
Insertion of a medical device for incontinence, such as a pessary or a urethral insert
Injections to keep the urethra closed
Nerve stimulators
Botox Injections into the bladder
Minimally invasive procedures, including:
Bulking material injections, which help to increase closure in the urethra and build thickness in the urethral wall so it seals properly
Sacral nerve stimulators which help to stimulate pelvic nerves in order to improve bladder function.
Minimally invasive surgery, including:
Sling procedures, which use strips of your body’s tissue, synthetic material or mesh to create a pelvic sling or hammock around your bladder neck and urethra to lift them back into a normal position to help keep the urethra closed, especially when you cough or sneeze. There are many types of slings, including tension-free, adjustable and conventional.
Bladder neck suspension, a procedure that uses a suturing technique to help provide support to your urethra and bladder neck, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.
Talk with your doctor to determine which treatment is right for you.