Urinary Incontinence

“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 Incontinence
  • Bladder Weakness
  • Continence
  • Incontinence
  • Light Bladder Leakage (LBL)
  • Overactive Bladder (OAB)
  • Urinary Incontinence (UI)
  • Weak Bladder

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 and Men

Is UI more common in women than in men?

In the United States according to the (United States) Cleveland Clinic in Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Who Gets Urinary Incontinence?:

“Incontinence is much more common in women than in men. This is often related to pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Each of these experiences can cause a woman’s pelvic support muscles to weaken over time”.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
  2. Urgency Incontinence
  3. Mixed Incontinence
  4. Functional Incontinence
  5. Overflow Incontinence
  6. Total Incontinence

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:

“Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is more common, affecting 1 in every 5 women. Women who have not had a baby have a 1 in 10 chance of developing SUI, while for those who have had a baby, the chance rises to approximately 1 in 3”.7

2. Urgency Incontinence

What is urgency or urge 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:

“Urgency incontinence occurs when you have a strong urge or need to urinate, and urine leaks before you can get to a toilet. Urgency incontinence is often referred to as overactive bladder. This type of incontinence happens when certain nerves and bladder muscles don’t work together to hold urine in the bladder, and the urine is released at the wrong time”.8

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. Functional Incontinence

What is functional incontinence?

DotS the definition of functional incontinence may vary. In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

  • “Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough”.11

5. Overflow Incontinence

What is overflow incontinence?

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

  • “Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely”.12

6. Total Incontinence

What is total incontinence?

DotS the definition of total incontinence may vary. In Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Other Types of Urinary Incontinence: Total Incontinence the NHS’s definition is:

“Urinary incontinence that’s continuous is sometimes known as total incontinence.

Total incontinence may cause you to constantly pass large amounts of urine, even at night. Or you may pass large amounts of urine only occasionally and leak smaller amounts in between”.13

Overactive Bladder

What is overactive bladder (OAB)?

In Urinary Incontinence – Symptoms: Overview – Symptoms: Common Types of Urinary Incontinence – Urge Incontinence the NHS note:

“As well as sometimes causing urge incontinence, overactive bladder syndrome can mean you need to pass urine very frequently, including several times during the night”.14

Cause

What may cause UI?

In Urinary Incontinence: 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”.15

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

“The pelvic floor muscles (muscles that support the bladder, bowel and uterus) can stretch and weaken, leading to continence issues.

Incontinence can also happen when pelvic floor muscles are too tight (overactive).

Urinary incontinence can be caused by:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Prolapse
  • Constipation or regular straining when going to the toilet
  • Repetitive lifting of heavy weights – at the gym, at work, in the garden or even when lifting children
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Coughing caused by smoking and chronic lung disease
  • Chronic sneezing (e.g. due to hay fever).

Urinary incontinence is also associated with:

  • Changes around the time of menopause (e.g. the pelvic floor becomes weaker and the bladder less elastic)
  • Diabetes
  • Pelvic or abdominal surgery
  • Certain medicines such as fluid tablets (diuretics)”.16

Aging

Is there an association between aging and UI?

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

“Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence”.17

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and UI?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urine Leakage? the NAMS explain:

“No. Women and girls have urinary incontinence (involuntary leaking of urine) but it tends to increase with age. Other factors that have been associated with incontinence include diabetes, obesity, weight gain, depression, hysterectomy, family history, and use of hormone therapy. Some disorders of the pelvic floor (the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support a woman’s internal organs) also may be responsible for the urinary leakage”.18

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


Urinary Incontinence“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”.19

Sex

Can UI prove troubling with sex?

According to the NAMS:

“Sex is one area where urinary incontinence can prove troubling. Urinary leakage during intercourse is estimated to affect up to a quarter of women with incontinence. This can be embarrassing for women and lead them to avoid intercourse or to worry about leakage to the point that they are unable to relax and enjoy sex”.20

Prevention

Can UI be prevented?

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

“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 weight
  • Changing your drinking habits, including cutting down on alcohol
  • Doing pelvic floor muscle exercises”.21

Treatment

What may UI treatment involve?

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

“The first thing you’ll want to remember is that bladder leaks during menopause are not normal, and other incontinence problems are not things that simply have to be endured. If you find that you’re having issues with incontinence during your menopause years, don’t just shrug your shoulders and assume that this is par for the course. Instead, take action now – it’s far better than suffering for years, especially with a condition that is eminently treatable. Below are some of the things you can do if you find that incontinence is an issue for you during this time.

  • Watch your diet…
  • Pelvic floor strengthening…
  • Physical therapy…
  • Posture…
  • Weight management…
  • Improve sleep…
  • Hormone therapy…
  • Other medications…
  • Pessaries…
  • Third line therapies…
  • Surgery…”.22

Products

Are products available to help manage UI?

Your Country may have a website similar to the international Continence Product Advisor.org or the (United States) Continencecentral.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”.23

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”.24

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

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

  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. Blabber Health Awareness Month [November, United States]
  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. Continencecentral.org
  18. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
  19. Cystitis
  20. Cystitis
  21. Diet and Exercise
  22. FAQs: Urinary Incontinence
  23. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads
  24. Find Your Perfect Incontinence Product
  25. Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder
  26. From Leaking Urine To Sudden Urges To Go: An Ob-Gyn Talks Bladder Control Problems
  27. Glossary
  28. How Smoking Contributes To Incontinence
  29. How To Exercise Without Wetting Yourself
  30. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks
  31. Incontinence Diaries
  32. Kegel Exercises
  33. Kidneys and Urinary System [Topics + Image]
  34. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause
  35. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  36. Life With Incontinence: Travel Tips
  37. Management of Urinary Incontinence In Postmenopausal Women: An EMAS Clinical Guide [European Menopause and Andropause Society]
  38. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Effective Treatment Available for Stress Incontinence
  39. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is Overactive Bladder?
  40. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  41. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  42. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]: Doctor Finder – NAFC Doctor Finder
  43. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  44. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cranberry
  45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  47. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  48. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  49. Overactive Bladder
  50. Overactive Bladder
  51. Pelvic Floor Health Center [National Association for Continence, United States]
  52. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  53. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Causes and Treatments
  54. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  55. Products
  56. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  57. Products for Women
  58. Stress Incontinence In Women
  59. Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence In Women
  60. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence [+ Video: Breaking Her Silence: Some Things Are Too Important To Hold In]
  61. Talking To Your Doctor About Incontinence: Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  62. The Bladder and Pelvic Floor
  63. The ‘Design Flaw’ That Can Cause UTIs In Women
  64. The Rainbow of Urine Colors: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  65. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  66. The Voices of Incontinence [+ Video – The Voices of Incontinence: Quality of Life]
  67. The Voices of Incontinence [+ Video – The Voices of Incontinence: Relationships]
  68. Therapies and Procedures
  69. Treating Incontinence During Your Perimenopause and Menopause Years
  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 In Women
  78. Urinary Incontinence Overview [+ Video: Understanding Urinary Incontinence]
  79. Urinary Incontinence – Multiply Languages
  80. Urinary Incontinence: 10 Ways To Stop Leaks
  81. Urinary Incontinence: Incontinence Products
  82. Urinary Incontinence: Nocturia
  83. Urinary Incontinence: Non-Surgical Treatment
  84. Urinary Incontinence: Stress Incontinence
  85. Urinary Tract Infections: Causes and Treatments
  86. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  87. Urinary and Pelvic Floor Conditions
  88. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues at Midlife
  89. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  90. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  91. What Are PFDs?
  92. What Can You Do for An Overactive Bladder?
  93. What Is Nocturia?
  94. Where Do I Start?
  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:

Sources

  1. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 Accessed: 04 July 2024
  2. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are Bladder Control Problems? Last Reviewed: July 2021. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/definition-facts Accessed: 04 July 2024
  3. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 Accessed: 04 July 2024
  4. Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Who Gets Urinary Incontinence? Last Reviewed: 23 October 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16998-female-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  5. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Common Types of Urinary Incontinence. Page Last Reviewed: 15 June 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms/#common-types-of-urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  6. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Stress Incontinence. Last Reviewed: July 2021. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/definition-facts Accessed: 04 July 2024
  7. Urinary Incontinence In Women. Content Updated: May 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/urinary-incontinence-in-women Accessed: 04 July 2024
  8. Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence): Definition & Facts for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) – What Are the Types of Bladder Control Problems? Urgency Incontinence. Last Reviewed: July 2021. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/definition-facts Accessed: 04 July 2024
  9. Urinary Incontinence: Urge Incontinence – About Urge Incontinence. Last Updated: May 2024. Last Reviewed: 23 March 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/types-incontinence/urinary-incontinence/urge-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  10. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Other Types of Urinary Incontinence: Mixed Incontinence. Page Last Reviewed: 15 June 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms/#other-types-of-urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  11. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 Accessed: 04 July 2024
  12. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 Accessed: 04 July 2024
  13. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Other Types of Urinary Incontinence: Total Incontinence. Page Last Reviewed: 15 June 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms/#other-types-of-urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  14. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms – Common Types of Urinary Incontinence: Urge Incontinence. Page Last Reviewed: 15 June 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms/#common-types-of-urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  15. Urinary Incontinence: Urinary Incontinence Overview. National Association for Continence https://www.nafc.org/urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  16. Urinary Incontinence: Causes. Last Updated: 23 April 2024 | Last Reviewed: 17 January 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder/urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  17. Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 Accessed: 04 July 2024
  18. Menopause FAQS: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urine Leakage? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 04 July 2024
  19. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Postmenopause – Bladder Health. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/health-after-menopause Accessed: 04 July 2024
  20. Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Causes of Sexual Problems – Urinary Incontinence. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  21. Urinary Incontinence: Overview – Preventing Urinary Incontinence. Page Last Reviewed: 15 June 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/#preventing-urinary-incontinence Accessed: 04 July 2024
  22. Treating Incontinence During Your Perimenopause and Menopause Years. National Association for Continence https://nafc.org/treating-incontinence-during-your-perimenopause-and-menopause-years/ Accessed: 04 July 2024
  23. About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://toiletmap.gov.au/about Accessed: 04 July 2024
  24. Bladder Conditions and Symptoms. Bladder & Bowel Community https://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/bladder/bladder-conditions-and-symptoms/ Accessed: 04 July 2024
Topic Last Updated: 04 July 2024  – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 July 2024

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