“Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you…”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Urinary Incontinence Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Bladder Control Problems

What are bladder control problems?

DotS the definition of bladder control problems may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK) definition is:

“Bladder control problems are conditions that affect the way a person holds or releases urine”.²

Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence (UI)?

DotS the definition of UI may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time”.³

Women

Is UI more common in women?

In Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Is Incontinence More Common In Women? according to the (United States) Cleveland Clinic:

“Yes, incontinence is more common in females. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can all lead to bladder control problems”.⁴

Common Types

What are common types of UI?

The (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“Most people with urinary incontinence have either stress incontinence or urge incontinence”.⁵

Different Types

What are different types of UI?

DotS different types of UI may include:

1. Stress Incontinence

What is stress incontinence?

DotS the definition of stress incontinence may vary. In Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Stress Incontinence the NIDDK’s definition is:

“Stress incontinence occurs when movement—coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity—puts pressure on the bladder and causes urine to leak”.⁶

In Urinary Incontinence In Women the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:

2. Urge Incontinence

What is urge or urgency incontinence?

DotS the definition of urgency incontinence may vary. In Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Urgency Incontinence the NIDDK’s definition is:

In Urinary incontinence: Urge Incontinence – About Urge Incontinence the Continence Foundation of Australia elaborate on:

“People who experience urge incontinence get a strong feeling to urinate (wee) even when the bladder isn’t full. This can occur in both men and women and involves a strong urge to urinate, often followed by loss of urine before reaching the toilet. If you experience urge incontinence you may also have the need pass urine more frequently”.⁹

3. Mixed Incontinence

What is mixed incontinence?

DotS the definition of urge incontinence may vary. The NHS’s definition is:

“Mixed incontinence is when you have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. For example, you may leak urine if you cough or sneeze, and also experience very intense urges to pass urine”.¹⁰

4. Overflow Incontinence

What is overflow incontinence?

DotS the definition of overflow incontinence can vary. The Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

Cause

What may cause UI?

In Urinary Incontinence: Causes and Treatment – Urinary Incontinence Overview the (United States) National Association for Continence (NAFC) note:

“Many people do not realize that there are many different types of urinary incontinence or reasons that you may cause you to leak urine”.¹²

In Urinary Incontinence: Causes [+ Diagram] the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

Aging

Is there an association between aging and UI?

In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic note:

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and UI?

In What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – Bladder Health the JH note:

“Lower levels of oestrogen after menopause can affect your bladder health, including:

• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Loss of elasticity of the bladder
• Thinning of the urethral and bladder lining, which could lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Loss of elasticity in the pelvic tissues

These factors can lead to incontinence (i.e. you might wee when you don’t want to). While this can be embarrassing, it is very common”.¹⁵

Prevention

Can UI be prevented?

In Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Preventing Urinary Incontinence the NHS elaborate on:

Treatment

What may UI treatment involve?

In Managing Incontinence In Perimenopause & Menopause: Treating Incontinence During Your Perimenopause and Menopause Years the NAFC elaborate on:

Products

Are products available to help manage UI?

Your Country may have a website similar to the international Continence Product Advisor.org which may provide information about different types of continence management products or a Helpline.

Helpline

Do some Countries have a national Continence/Incontinence Helpline?

Yes. Your Country may have a Helpline similar to the Continence Foundation of Australia’s National Continence Helpline.

Toilet Maps, Cards or Apps

Do some Countries have toilet maps, cards or Apps?

Yes. Your Country may have a toilet map similar to Australia’s National Public Toilet Map. About the Toilet Map explains:

“The National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 23,000 public and private public facilities across Australia, including toilets, adult change and baby care. Information is provided about each toilet, such as location, accessibility details, opening hours and features like sharps disposal and showers”.¹⁸

Or your Country may have a card or App similar to the (United Kingdom) Bladder & Bowel Community’s (B&B) Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have UI?

If you think you have UI, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Bladder Conditions and Symptoms the B&B note:

“The first and most important point to remember is that everyone with a bladder problem can be helped and many can be completely cured”.¹⁹

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Urinary Incontinence?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Urinary Incontinence?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

• Bladder Diary [September 2024]
• How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage [07 October 2024]
  
• Urinary Incontinence [04 December 2025]
• Urinary Incontinence [05 March 2025]
• Why Do You Need To Pee As Soon As You Get Home? [31 January 2025]

1. About Incontinence: Understanding Incontinence
2. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
3. Bbuk.org.uk [Bladder & Bowel UK]
4. Bladder
5. Bladder Control
6. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Diagnosis of Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – How Do Doctors Find the Cause of A Bladder Control Problem? Bladder Diary
7. Bladder Control Problems: How To Seek Treatment
8. Bladder Control: Lifestyle Strategies Ease Problems
9. Bladder Diary
10. Bladder Health During Perimenopause & Menopause
11. Bladder Leakage: Fact Versus Fiction
12. Bladder Retraining and Keeping A Blabber Diary
13. Bladderandbowel.org [Bladder & Bowel Community, United Kingdom]
14. Bladderhealthuk.org [Bladder Health UK]
15. Continence Organizations Worldwide: Continence Organizations Where You Live
16. Continence.org .au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
17. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
18. Cystitis
19. Cystitis
20. Diet and Exercise
21. FAQs: Urinary Incontinence
22. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads
23. Finding the Perfect Product for Your Individual Incontinence Needs
24. Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder
25. From Leaking Urine To Sudden Urges To Go: An Ob-Gyn Talks Bladder Control Problems
26. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
    
27. Glossary
28. How Smoking Contributes To Incontinence
29. How To Exercise Without Wetting Yourself
30. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
    
31. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks
32. Incontinence Diaries
33. Kegel Exercises
34. Kidneys and Urinary System [Topics + Image]
35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause
36. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
37. Life With Incontinence: Travel Tips
38. Lifestyle, Fluids and Diet
39. Management of Urinary Incontinence In Postmenopausal Women: An EMAS Clinical Guide [European Menopause and Andropause Society]
40. Managing Incontinence In Perimenopause and Menopause
41. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is Overactive Bladder?
42. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
    
43. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]: Doctor Finder – NAFC Doctor Finder
44. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cranberry
46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
47. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
48. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
49. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
50. Overactive Bladder
51. Overactive Bladder
52. Pelvic Floor Health Center [National Association for Continence, United States]
53. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
54. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Causes and Treatments
55. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    
56. Products
57. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
58. Products for Women
59. Stress Incontinence In Women
60. Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence In Women
61. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence [+ Video: Breaking Her Silence: Some Things Are Too Important To Hold In]
    
62. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence: Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
63. The Bladder and Pelvic Floor
64. The ‘Design Flaw’ That Can Cause UTIs In Women
65. The Rainbow of Urine Colors: What’s Typical, What’s Not
66. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
    
67. The Voices of Incontinence [+ Video – The Voices of Incontinence: Quality of Life]
    
68. The Voices of Incontinence [+ Video – The Voices of Incontinence: Relationships]
    
69. Therapies and Procedures
70. Types of Incontinence: Urinary Incontinence
71. Urinary Incontinence
72. Urinary Incontinence
73. Urinary Incontinence
74. Urinary Incontinence
75. Urinary Incontinence
76. Urinary Incontinence
77. Urinary Incontinence
78. Urinary Incontinence In Women
79. Urinary Incontinence Overview [+ Video: Understanding Urinary Incontinence]
    
80. Urinary Incontinence – Multiply Languages
81. Urinary Incontinence: 10 Ways To Stop Leaks
82. Urinary Incontinence: Incontinence Products
83. Urinary Incontinence: Nocturia
84. Urinary Incontinence: Non-Surgical Treatment
85. Urinary Incontinence: Stress Incontinence
86. Urinary Tract Infections: Causes and Treatments
87. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
88. Urinary and Pelvic Floor Conditions
89. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
90. What Are PFDs?
91. What Can You Do for An Overactive Bladder?
92. What Is Nocturia?
93. Where Do I Start?
94. Why Do You Need To Pee As Soon As You Get Home?
95. Why You Pee When You Sneeze and How To Stop It
96. Why Your Diet Matters When You Have Incontinence
97. Women: Menopause – Menopause and Continence
98. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video]
99. Women’s Bladder and Bowel Health Conditions
100. Your Pelvic Floor

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at: