Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It commonly happens more often in old age, but it’s usually treatable. There are many different types of urinary incontinence. Some are more common in men than women.

Women can often experience incontinence during pregnancy, after childbirth, or during menopause. In men, incontinence can be brought on by medical conditions like enlarged prostate, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. 

Types of Incontinence​

• Stress incontinence happens when activity such as bending, lifting, or coughing puts pressure on the bladder and triggers leaks. 
• Urge incontinence, caused by the bladder contracting when it shouldn't, triggers a sudden and overwhelming need to urinate. The feeling is so intense that it's hard to make it to the bathroom in time. 
• Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence. 
• Overflow incontinence happens when you're unable to completely empty your bladder and you leak unexpectedly. 

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of incontinence you have. Your urologist will help come up with the best treatment for you based on the transparency of your symptoms and struggles. Your doctor may recommend you first try self-care treatments like:

• Making lifestyle changes
  • This may include weightloss, staying physcially active, quit smoking, drinking liquid at the right time of day. 
• Training your bladder
• Pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Controling your urge to urinate

If those treatmenrs are unsuccessful you might need:

• Medication
• Medical devices
• Electrical nerve stimulation
• Surgery

Not all who suffer with incontience will benefit from the same treatment options. Discuss with your doctor what would work best for you.