Urinary incontinence
Overview
Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people.
Symptoms
Leaking pee when coughing/sneezing (stress) or sudden urge (urge).
Causes
Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter. Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder. Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully. Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area (fistula). Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including: pregnancy and vaginal birthobesitya family history of incontinenceincreasing age – although incontinence is not an inevitable part of ageing Find out more about thecauses of urinary incontinence.
Treatment
Initially, a GP may suggest some simple measures to see if they help improve your symptoms. These may include: lifestyle changes such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcoholpelvic floor exercises, where you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing thembladder training, where you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine You may also benefit from the use ofincontinence products, such as absorbent pads and handheld urinals. Medicine may be recommended if you're still unable to manage your symptoms. Find out more aboutnon-surgical treatments for urinary incontinence. Surgery may also be considered. The procedures that are suitable for you will depend on the type of incontinence you have. Surgical treatment for stress incontinence, such as a sling procedure, is used to reduce pressure on the bladder or strengthen the muscles that control urination. Surgery to treat urge incontinence includes enlarging the bladder or implanting a device that stimulates the nerve that controls the detrusor muscles. Find out more aboutsurgery and procedures for urinary incontinence.
Prevention
It's not always possible to prevent urinary incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it happening. These include: maintaining a healthy weightchanging your drinking habits, including cutting down on alcoholdoingpelvic floor muscle exercises
When to see a doctor
See GP if: incontinence affects daily life. Not inevitable with age.