Urinary Incontinence: Causes And Treatment
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive custom tools to help you manage your condition and get the latest in bladder and bowel health from NAFC!
Urinary Incontinence Overview
Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine. Over 33 million Americans suffer from some type of urinary incontinence or bladder condition, a problem that often causes embarrassment for many. And while it is a very common problem, it should not be considered a “normal” one.
Many people do not realize that there are many different types of urinary incontinence or reasons that may cause you to leak urine. Some of the more common conditions are overactive bladder (OAB), urinary retention, mixed incontinence, and stress urinary incontinence. Watch the short video below, then read more about the different types of bladder leakage issues and click through to learn about symptoms, causes and treatment options.
Overactive Bladder & Urge Incontinence
When you feel the need to go and go right NOW, you may be dealing with an Overactive Bladder. If you cannot control the urge and bladder leakage occurs, that is what makes it urge incontinence. The good news is, in many cases this is a treatable condition and not merely something you have to deal with because of age.
Urinary Retention
In mild cases, urinary retention makes it difficult to start urination and the flow is weak. Once finished you often feel the need to go again because the bladder isn’t fully emptied. In more acute cases, the lower belly becomes distended causing great discomfort and pain. Despite the urge to go, urination is not possible.
Mixed Incontinence
As the name suggests, Mixed Incontinence is a combination of stress incontinence, including muscle and sphincter related issues, and urgency incontinence like those mentioned above. Usually one symptom is more severe than the other and that directly affects what methods will be most effective in treatment.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
A problem that affects both men and women, Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs because of weak pelvic floor muscles and/or a deficient urethral sphincter. This weakness can cause the bladder to leak during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or any body movement that puts pressure on the bladder. Stress urinary incontinence often shows up after childbirth and menopause in women while prostate cancer treatment, such as radical prostatectomy, can trigger it in men.
Importantly, stress urinary incontinence can affect men and women differently. To learn more, visit these links:
RELATED ARTICLES
Answers to your questions about urge incontinence and neuromodulation
Urgency, frequent bathroom trips and unexpected leaks can disrupt daily life, but they’re more treatable than many people realize. Dr. Travis Bullock joins Life Without Leaks to answer questions from his recent webinar, explain the difference between overactive bladder and other forms of incontinence, and discuss new therapies like neuromodulation that can help restore bladder control and quality of life.
For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Managing Overnight Incontinence for a Better Night’s Sleep
A good night’s sleep plays an important role in maintaining overall health, comfort, and emotional well-being. For individuals managing incontinence, nighttime can sometimes feel uncertain. Overnight leaks may interrupt sleep, create concern about bedding or clothing, and make mornings feel more stressful than restful. These experiences are common, and they are something many adults navigate at different stages of life.
Incontinence & Intimacy: Reconnecting After Bladder Leaks
For many people, sex and intimacy is about far more than physical closeness. It’s about confidence, connection, vulnerability, and feeling comfortable in your own body.
When urinary incontinence enters the picture, those feelings can quietly change.
While often discussed as a physical condition, incontinence can deeply affect emotional well-being and romantic relationships, something many people experience but few talk about openly.
Answers to your questions about urge incontinence and neuromodulation
Urgency, frequent bathroom trips and unexpected leaks can disrupt daily life, but they’re more treatable than many people realize. Dr. Travis Bullock joins Life Without Leaks to answer questions from his recent webinar, explain the difference between overactive bladder and other forms of incontinence, and discuss new therapies like neuromodulation that can help restore bladder control and quality of life.
For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.