Incontinence Specialist

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control that causes involuntary urine leakage. Incontinence often occurs after pregnancy or as you get older, but it doesn’t have to disrupt your life indefinitely. It’s the result of the weakening of your urinary sphincter, the muscle that allows you to hold or release urine from your bladder.

You can experience urinary incontinence in different ways. Some women have leaky bladders, while others have an increased need or sudden urges to get to a toilet fast. Or you might have to get up many times during the night to empty your bladder, which interrupts your sleep and makes it hard to get enough rest if it’s a nightly occurrence.

What are the most common types of urinary incontinence?

Stress incontinence and urge incontinence (overactive bladder) are the two most common types of urinary incontinence. Some people have one or the other, while some experience a combination of both types.

With stress incontinence, a small amount of urine can leak out when you cough, laugh, or exercise. With urge incontinence, you experience a sudden need to urinate and urine loss that’s uncontrollable. Urge incontinence usually makes you use the bathroom more often during the day as well as at night.

Other common types of urinary incontinence include:

• Overflow incontinence: the frequent dribbling of urine
• Functional incontinence: a physical or mental impairment prevents you from getting to the toilet in time
• Mixed incontinence: you experience several types of bladder problems at the same time

Since incontinence is so unpredictable, at times you could experience just a minor urine leak, or you might frequently lose a larger amount of urine. Incontinence can quickly become an embarrassing problem that’s difficult to manage.

What causes urinary incontinence?

Stress incontinence is often the result of weakened pelvic muscles which causes your bladder to shift from its normal position. You can also experience different types of incontinence from:

• Urinary-tract infections
• Pregnancy or vaginal births
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Having a hysterectomy
• Physical activity over the years
• Certain medications
• Menopause

The team at Mott Women Healthcare considers your overall health history and symptoms and rules out any STDs that could be contributing to urinary problems. Once they determine the underlying cause of your incontinence, they discuss recommended treatments. In some cases, you can alleviate symptoms with medication, bladder training, therapies, or surgeries that can correct more severe issues.

For expert help with urinary incontinence at any age, call the office or schedule an appointment online.