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ADP - What is urinary incontinence? Symptoms and causes

ADP - Urge incontinence & frequent urination in women: causes and treatments

Urge Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms

ADP -  Managing Urge Incontinence

Managing Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence & frequent urination in women: causes and treatments

Making Sense of Bladder Prolapse

ADP - What are the different types of urinary incontinence?

What are the different types of urinary incontinence?

ADP - What Is Overactive Bladder? Symptoms, causes, and prevention

Urinary incontinence occurs when urine is involuntarily leaked from the bladder. This can range from little leaks to the full bladder emptying. There are many different types of incontinence, and one of them is mixed incontinence. While it can be an unpleasant experience, mixed incontinence doesn’t need to rule your life. The good news is that it doesn’t need to put a downer on your lifestyle.

ADP - What Is Mixed Incontinence?

So, let’s start with a definition of terms. What is urinary incontinence exactly? To put it simply, it is a reduction in bladder control. It is caused by problems with the muscles and nerves that help the bladder hold or release urine. The symptoms of incontinence can range anywhere from occasional little leaks when you cough, laugh, or sneeze to an urge to urinate that comes on so strongly that you don’t make it to the toilet on time.

Many women experiencing [urinary incontinence](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/overflow-incontinence-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/) stop doing certain activities as a result of their bladder leaks. For example, they might be afraid of experiencing bladder leaks whilst out with friends, so they opt to stay home instead of doing much-enjoyed physical activities like aerobics, tennis, dancing, or gardening. Even a short run to the local shop – away from a toilet – can become a source of anxiety. This need not be the case. With a little management, you can live a life filled with the activities you love despite experiencing incontinence.

There is a common misconception around incontinence that it’s an affliction of the elderly. Though it occurs more often as people get older, this condition is experienced also by younger individuals. In fact, 1 in 3 women aged 18 and older experience from urinary incontinence. So, if you experience a leak, you are not alone. Remember that there are many methods and aids that can help you manage incontinence and have an active life.

What is incontinence?

Just like mixed incontinence shares symptoms with urge and stress incontinence, it also shares causes with them.

Urge incontinence is caused by damage to the nerves of the bladder, the nervous system, or the bladder tissue itself. It is also caused by menopause. This is typically a result of previous pelvic surgery, such as a C-section, or a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. Urinary tract infections can cause temporary urge incontinence, but this most often resolves itself as soon as the infection clears up.

Stress incontinence is caused by a weakened pelvic floor, to the extent that everyday activities that put pressure on the pelvic floor cause a small amount of urine to leak from the bladder. Common life events like pregnancy, childbirth, and being overweight all weaken the pelvic floor so that it no longer properly supports the bladder. Stress incontinence has nothing to do with experiencing emotional stress in your life.

Risk factors such as thyroid problems, untreated diabetes, stroke, smoking, and even certain medications can worsen symptoms of incontinence.

Causes

ADP - What Causes Frequent Urination?.

Frequent Urination: Causes

Incontinence comes in three main types: __stress, urge__ and __overflow__. If you have a combination of any of two of these types of incontinence, this is known as mixed incontinence.

What is mixed incontinence?

When your body decides it has to go, you’d better find a toilet, and find one fast! For people suffering from urge incontinence, the sensation of having to urinate comes on so suddenly and so strongly that they often are barely able to hold in urine and are rarely left with enough warning to find a toilet.

ADP - Overflow incontinence: symptoms, causes and treatment options

Overflow incontinence

ADP -Making Sense of Bladder Prolapse

The symptoms of incontinence that you experience depend on what type of incontinence you have. There are several types of urinary incontinence, each with its own set of symptoms and causes. Understanding the differences and similarities between them is important for effective management and treatment. The five main kinds of incontinence are as follows:

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

What is Urinary Incontinence?

ADP - 4 myths about bladder weakness in women

4 myths about bladder weakness in women

Treatments and remedies

ADP - Bladder leakage in women: symptoms, causes and treatment | Always Discreet

Bladder leakage in women: symptoms, causes and treatment

ADP - Urinary incontinence while coughing â€“ what to do?

Preventing bladder leakage begins with simple daily habits that can bring significant benefits: Regular pelvic muscle training (known as Kegel training) strengthens the body and improves bladder control. Consistency and proper technique—preferably under the guidance of a physical therapist—can greatly enhance the quality of life. A balanced diet that supports maintaining an optimal weight reduces pressure on the bladder. Despite seeming paradoxical, adequate water intake is essential. This is because dehydration increases the risk of urinary tract infections, which can exacerbate incontinence issues.

How to prevent bladder leakage in women? 

OG-Everything-You-ve-Ever-Wanted-to-Know-About-Female-Bladder-Leakage

In order to diagnose stress urinary incontinence, it is important to make an appointment with a doctor. He or she will ask very detailed questions about of urine flow, past medical conditions, lifestyle and fluid intake.

The history is followed by a physical examination - abdominal, perineal, and pelvic examinations and a stress test. This is usually a cough test to observe the intensity of any leakage and the mobility of the vaginal walls. It is also necessary to have a gynaecological examination with a specialist.

Additional tests to be performed are:
  <ul>
    <li>General urinalysis</li>
    <li>Urine culture</li>
    <li>Urinary tract ultrasound</li>
  </ul>

How is stress incontinence diagnosed ?

All of us feel the urge to pee very badly on occasion. This is normal. So how do you know if you have overactive bladder? Symptoms may vary in severity and duration - some experience only occasional urgency, while others may have to urinate every few minutes. Incontinence may occur when the urge to urinate is so sudden and strong that you cannot get to the toilet in time. Here are some overactive bladder symptoms:

Signs and symptoms of overactive bladder

OG-A-Users-Guide-to-Overflow-Incontinence

There are lots of potential reasons why you are urinating so often. What causes urge incontinence? The commonest cause for frequent urination is an overactive bladder. They are usually accompanying symptoms and are characteristic of some medical conditions. Sources of the disorder may be kidney, bladder, urethra, hypothalamic disease, diabetes mellitus and medication. If you find that you are going more than you used to, here are some likely causes of urge incontinence:

### 1. You are drinking more liquids than usual
The first and obvious reason for frequent visits to the toilet is drinking too much fluid. The more fluids you put into your body, the more has to come out of it. The standard daily fluid intake should be around 2 litres, then you have a normal urination frequency. But it is important to remember that some people require less or more. It all depends on your activity level, medications you are taking and health conditions.

### 2. You are drinking too much caffeine, which is a diuretic
Drinking excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks or alcohol will increase urination. If you add artificial sweeteners to your drinks, you may also increase the amount of urine you pass.

### 3. Bladder infection and inflammation
More than half of all women experience this problem during their lifetime, due to their anatomy. Women's urethras are shorter than men's, so they are prone to bladder infections. Infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms - for example, from faeces - are present in the urinary tract.

### 4. Overactive bladder, a common condition
It is characterised by urinary complaints such as urinary frequency, urgency, night-time urination and urinary incontinence. It manifests as uncontrolled urination with a feeling of strong urge to urinate on the bladder.

### 5. Vaginitis
This is another cause of excessive urination in women. It can be caused by yeast infections, cysticercosis or bacterial vaginitis.

### 6. Pregnancy
Pregnant women also tend frequent urge to urinate. This is due to the fact that the baby they are carrying causes the uterus to expand and puts extra pressure on the bladder. Therefore, this is not a cause for concern. After the baby is born, symptoms of frequent urination may persist. Women who give birth naturally are more likely to urinate more frequently because childbirth weakens the pelvic floor muscles.

### 7. Bladder stones
Frequent, burning urination, pain in the pit of the stomach and blood in the urine are common with bladder stones. These can remove naturally - which is quite painful, but surgery may be required for larger stones.

### 8. Diabetes
Frequent urination in women can be caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This symptom occurs because excess sugar causes extra fluid to flow through the kidneys. The body is then unable to regulate blood sugar levels. This results in frequent urination in large quantities. Frequent urination in women can be caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This symptom occurs because excess sugar causes extra fluid to flow through the kidneys. The body is then unable to regulate blood sugar levels. This results in frequent urination in large quantities.

### 9. Sexually transmitted diseases
Chlamydia or gonorrhoea are common sexually transmitted diseases that can cause frequent urination. However, it is important to remember that this may be one of the first symptoms, especially as sexually transmitted diseases are often asymptomatic at first.

### 10. Cancer of the bladder
Some women with bladder cancer may also feel the need to urinate more often. Cancer treatment can also cause more frequent urination. This is a side effect of radiation treatment, especially if the radiotherapy is applied to the pelvic area.

Causes of urge incontinence and frequent urination in women

What Is Overactive Bladder? Symptoms, causes, and prevention

Urinary incontinence is a common condition causing an involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder. There are many possible symptoms and causes of incontinence.

What is urinary incontinence? Symptoms and causes

- __[stress incontinence](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/what-is-stress-incontinence-symptoms-causes-and-treatment)__– caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles that fail to properly close the urethra; leakage occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical exertion;
- [__urge incontinence__](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/frequent-urination-in-women) – associated with overactive bladder, also called detrusor instability; characterised by sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, often also at night;
- __overflow incontinence__ – occurs when the bladder is too full due to obstruction or weakened bladder muscles; urine leaks involuntarily even though the bladder is not fully emptied.
- [__Mixed incontinence__](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/what-is-mixed-incontinence) – this is when there is more than one type of incontinence occurring at the same time.


What are the types of incontinence?

Frequent urination in women is a disorder of the urinary system. It consists of an excessive need to urinate frequently and in very small amounts. Frequent urge to urinate in itself is not a disease, but a symptom that indicates some kind of disorder. For example, frequent urination can be an indication of a urinary tract infection and more serious diseases (for example: diabetes mellitus) and may be a symptom of urge incontinence.

If you experience constant leakage, difficulty emptying your bladder, or recurrent infections, it is important to seek medical advice. Overflow incontinence can indicate underlying bladder or nerve problems and may lead to complications if untreated. Early assessment by a GP or specialist allows appropriate treatment and can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life!

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Options may include intermittent or long term catheterisation to empty the bladder, medication to improve bladder emptying or address contributing conditions, and surgery where a physical blockage or severe prolapse is present.

A sensitive bladder protection product can be worn to help you manage leak protection and feel more confident. There is a variety of sensitive bladder products ranging from incontinence liners and pads to underwear, so you can tailor choice to your absorbency needs. They lock in bladder leaks and odours for peace of mind. Additionally, they can be thin and flexible so you can hardly feel you’re wearing anything.  But they should be used alongside medical assessment rather than as a substitute for diagnosis and treatment.

### This is generalised advice and isn't personalised nor to replace the advice of your doctor and other health care professionals.

How can I treat overflow incontinence?

Urinary incontinence while coughing – what to do?

ADP - Urinary incontinence while coughing – what to do?

ADP - Just How 'Adult' Is Adult Incontinence

Just How ´Adult´ is Adult Incontinence

Healthcare professionals usually describe bladder prolapse (cystocele) as mild, moderate or severe, a way of understanding the stages is based on how far the bladder has descended into or beyond the vagina:

- Stage 1 (mild): The bladder has dropped slightly, but sits well inside the vagina.
- Stage 2 (moderate): The bladder has descended to the opening of the vagina.
- Stage 3 (severe): Part of the bladder bulges outside the vaginal opening.
- Stage 4 (very severe/complete prolapse): The bladder is completely outside the vagina.


How is bladder prolapse classified?

OG-All-About-Stress-Incontinence

In order to understand prolapse you need to learn about the pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that act like a supportive hammock at the base of a woman’s pelvis. These muscles help hold the bladder, uterus and bowel in place, and they play a key role in bladder control, bowel function and sexual wellbeing. When the pelvic floor is strong, everything stays supported and works smoothly; when it weakens, for example due to childbirth, menopause, ageing or strain, you may notice issues like leaks, pressure or discomfort.

A prolapse happens when the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues become weakened and can no longer hold the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or bowel, in their usual position. As a result, one or more of these organs can drop down and press into the vaginal wall, leading to symptoms.

Let’s explain some medical terms:

-	Uterine prolapse – this is when the uterus slips down into the vagina
-	Rectocele – where the rectum bulges into the vagina and leads to symptoms like the sensation of not fully opening your bowels, or difficulties passing stool.
-	Cystocele – bladder prolapse, where the bladder bulges into the vagina.

Symptoms of bladder prolapse

What is the pelvic floor and prolapse?

Middle aged woman body with black underwear

OG-What-Causes-Frequent-Urination


__Stress Incontinence__ is the most common type of adult incontinence in women. When pressure is exerted on the bladder, urine is involuntarily released, leaving you damp. Sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting heavy objects and exercise are the most likely activities to cause stress incontinence and urine leakage.

Increased anbdominal pressure

ADP - Managing Urge Incontinence

Do you often feel like you’re having “pee emergencies” that send you running to the toilet, unsure if you’ll make it in time? You may have an overactive bladder.

ADP - What is stress urinary incontinence? Symptoms, causes and treatment

What is stress urinary incontinence? Symptoms, causes and treatment

Now that we know what causes an overactive bladder, let’s discuss how to diagnose this condition. Determining if someone has overactive bladder involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's medical history, symptoms, and physical examination. There are no specific tests to diagnose this ailment, but healthcare providers may use some methods to rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. During a medical examination, the doctor asks the patient questions about their medical history and current symptoms, including frequency, urgency, and incontinence. They may also ask about the patient's fluid intake, diet, and lifestyle habits that can affect bladder function.

A physical examination may also be performed to check for any underlying medical conditions that can cause overactive bladder symptoms. The examination may involve checking the abdomen, rectum, and pelvis for any abnormalities or signs of nerve damage. Another type of test is checking for any urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, or other irregularities. Blood tests may also be carried out to check for conditions such as diabetes, which can contribute to nerve damage and overactive bladder symptoms. In some cases, the physician may refer the patient to a urologist or gynaecologist for evaluation, such as urodynamic testing, to check the bladder function and identify any underlying medical conditions.

How is overactive bladder diagnosed?

What Causes Frequent Urination?.

Urinary incontinence while coughing – what to do? 

 Advice & Support - Back to Advice & Support Page

Experiencing bladder leakage whilst coughing is a common and affects one in three women. This can happen as a result of various factors, such as hormonal changes, pregnancy, childbirth, or disorders of the urogenital and nervous systems. Weakened pelvic floor muscles, often caused by surgeries or physical strain including excess weight, are common reasons why coughing may lead to urinary incontinence. Take the time to better understand the causes of bladder leaks. However, remember that if you have any concerns about bladder weakness, your first step should always be to consult your GP.

Just How 'Adult' Is Adult Incontinence

What exactly is overflow incontinence?

Causes of frequent urination include simply drinking too much water, an underlying health problem (see your doctor!), or an overactive bladder.
Normal bladder capacity ranges between 400 to 600 ml. A person with a healthy bladder urinates between six to eight times a day. If you find yourself urinating more than this, you may be scratching your head wondering why.


What Causes Frequent Urination?

Advice from our Experts

If laughing, coughing, or sneezing cause you urine leaks, you may have stress urinary incontinence. Find out more about it here!

Overflow incontinence: symptoms, causes and treatment options

Stress incontinence is the result of a weakened pelvic floor – the system of muscles, ligaments, and nerves that supports your bladder, uterus, and anus that helps control the urinary sphincter, which is responsible for closing off the bladder and regular

What Is Mixed Incontinence?

What is Overactive Bladder?

There are lots of potential reasons why you are urinating so often. If you find that you are going more than you used to, here are some likely frequent urination causes:

- You are drinking more liquids than usual

   Drinking more produces more urine, which makes your bladder fill up, thus sending you to the toilet more often. You may or may not realise that you    are drinking more liquids. Perhaps it’s particularly hot outside, or perhaps you started a new exercise routine. If this is the cause of your frequent urination, there is not much need for concern.

- You are drinking too much caffeine, which is a diuretic

  Drinks such as coffee and tea are diuretics, which means they make your body rid itself of excess water.

- You are pregnant

  Hormones in early pregnancy can increase the urge to urinate. Later in pregnancy, the pressure of the growing foetus presses on the bladder, increasing the need to urinate.

- You are taking certain medications

  Certain medications increase the production of urine, making you have to     urinate more frequently. This effect typically goes away when you stop taking the medication. Be sure to stay hydrated in the meantime.

Frequent urination can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as:

- Bladder infection or bladder inflammation

  Bladder infections irritate and inflame the muscles and tissues surrounding   the bladder, causing them to spasm involuntarily. This will go away as soon   as the bladder infection is resolved. See your doctor for a diagnosis and/or antibiotics in order to clear up the infection. Leaving a bladder     infection untreated can cause more serious health conditions.

- Diabetes
  Frequent urination can be one of the first signs of high blood sugar. This   is because excess sugar causes more fluids to pass through the kidneys.       Sugar build-up in your tissues can also cause bladder function issues, which cause frequent urination.

- Interstitial cystitis

  Interstitial cystitis is a condition associated with chronic pelvic pain, pain when the bladder fills and empties, and frequent urination even when     the bladder isn’t full. It can be managed with medication from your doctor.

- Overactive bladder, a common and easily treatable condition

  If you have an overactive bladder (OAB), sudden, frequent urges to urinate   come on strongly, even when there is no urine in the bladder. You may or may not be able to make it to the toilet in time. OAB happens due to muscle   or nerve damage in the bladder tissue as a result of previous pelvic surgery or neurological disease. OAB is also referred to as urge incontinence. It is best managed on a day-to-day basis by adopting a bladder-friendly diet. This means avoiding foods that aggravate the bladder, such as alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and citrus fruits.

What Can Be Done About Frequent Urination?
Here are some things you can do to alleviate the causes of [frequent urination:](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/overflow-incontinence-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/)

*Do Kegel exercises.* 

Exercising your pelvic floor will help strengthen the muscles that control your body’s ability to hold in urine. By training these muscles, you may be able to retrain your bladder and extend the time between toilet visits.

*Stay hydrated.* 

Though it may sound counter-intuitive, drinking enough water will be a positive step for your overactive bladder. Restricting fluids makes your urine more concentrated, and more of an irritant to your bladder. So fill that water bottle and drink up!

*Drink on a schedule.*

By watching how much you drink and at what time of day, you can gain control over how often you have to urinate. For instance, drinking 6 to 8 oz of water at one time versus sipping throughout the day can decrease urinary frequency. You may also find it helpful to stop drinking liquids a few hours before you go to bed.

*Eat a bladder-healthy diet.* 

Studies have shown that certain foods – like caffeine, alcohol, and citrus – irritate the bladder and increase urinary frequency and urgency. This is not something you want if you already have a sensitive bladder.

*Retrain your bladder.*

Bladder training can be an important component of your treatment plan. Start visiting the toilet at regular intervals, whether or not you have to go. Over time, try increasing the amount of time between your visits so that you train your bladder to hold it for longer and stop being so reactive. Be sure to up the amount by small increments each time in order to set yourself up for success.

*Medications.*

Talk to your doctor about whether taking a prescription drug to relax your bladder muscles and alleviate any root causes of frequent urination is right for you.Wear protection.

Wearing liners, pads, or underwear can go a long way in giving you the confidence to go about your life without making an unwanted trade-off between where you go, what you do, and how close you’ll be to a toilet.

To understand your own personal incontinence issues as best as possible, we recommend that you talk to your doctor as a first step. Your doctor may be able to cure it, treat it or at least help you manage bladder leaks better.

What to do in case of each type of urinary incontinence?

Many people find that understanding incontinence is helpful! On its most basic level, urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine, but there are different kinds of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence affects different women in different ways for varying reasons.
Urinary incontinence can manifest in various forms depending on the mechanisms and causes. It can be caused by anything from [pregnancy](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/pregnancy-and-postpartum/pregnancy-incontinence-and-new-mums) to [menopause](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/menopause/what-is-menopause), strenuous physical activities or even a medical condition. Each type is characterised by distinct symptoms and requires a specific approach to diagnosis and treatment. The following types of urinary incontinence are distinguished:

- Urge incontinence (UI);
- Stress incontinence (SI);
- Overflow incontinence;
- Mixed incontinence (MI);
- Functional incontinence;
- Total incontinence.

Types of urinary incontinence 

__Do you sometimes put on a fresh pair of pants, only to find them soaked through within a matter of minutes? This can even happen at night, leaving you sleepless and uncomfortable. If so, you may have overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence is a less common type of urinary incontinence that occurs when the bladder does not empty properly. It can lead to frequent or constant leakage and should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.__

If you’re not seeing results from behavioural remedies, you may want to seek professional help. Simply consult your healthcare provider or consider trying alternative medicine, such as acupuncture.

### Going down the doctor route
You may want to consult your doctor about your medical options. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to weigh each option and choose which is best for you and your lifestyle.

The most obvious solution is medications. Anticholinergics, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, and solifenacin, work by relaxing the bladder muscles to reduce overactive bladder symptoms. Mirabegron is a newer class of drug that can relax the muscles around the bladder and increase its capacity, dealing with some of overactive bladder causes. Of course, medications usually have some side effects, so it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with the doctor.

The more advanced methods for dealing with irritable bladder are nerve stimulation and Botox injection. The former involves implanting a small device that stimulates the nerves that control the bladder to reduce the overactive bladder symptoms. On the other hand, injecting Botox into the bladder can help relax the muscles and alleviate some irritable bladder symptoms. This is typically reserved for patients who have not responded to other treatments.

### Going the alternative route
While there is some evidence to suggest that acupuncture may be helpful in treating bladder weakness, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. However, it may be an effective complementary therapy. Using very fine needles inserted into pinpointed, strategic places in your body, acupuncturists can target specific nerve pathways related to urination. This can help improve bladder function by increasing blood flow to the bladder and reducing inflammation. Acupuncture is also capable of regulating the nervous system, which plays a role in bladder control, to ease some of the symptoms of an overactive bladder.

Treatment and medication options for overactive bladder

Urge incontinence occurs when the nerves around your bladder signal your bladder muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. See what you can do about it!

To begin with, you should observe your body. Pay attention to how often you use the toilet. If you use the toilet eight or more times a day and more than twice a night, you should visit your doctor for further tests to see if you have urge incontinence.

When you go to the doctor, a sample of your urine will be tested to see if you have a urinary tract infection. Your doctor may also have you analysed for urinary frequency and volume for a minimum of 3 full days. During the visit, he or she will also ask questions about the medications you are taking, the amount of fluids you drink, alcohol and caffeine. You may also be asked to cough to check for urine leakage.

For women, the doctor may also examine the pelvic floor muscles and, for men, the condition of the prostate.

How is urge incontinence diagnosed?

How to stop stress incontinence? Primarily using physical therapy methods and by changing habits. In some cases, pharmacological and surgical treatment can also be used. Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to get stress urinary incontinence treatment. How to fix stress incontinence? Most of them involve minor tweaks to your daily routine, making them quite doable. Here’s a list of some stress incontinence treatments and remedies:

Natural treatments and remedies for stress incontinence

4 Myths about Bladder Weakness

The symptoms of overflow incontinence include:
- constant or frequent leakage;
- difficulty starting urination;
- a weak or intermittent urine stream;
- feeling unable to fully empty the bladder;
- frequent urinary tract infections;
- in some cases bedwetting.

What are the symptoms of overflow incontinence?

There are many different causes of urinary incontinence, including underlying medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and certain medications. Understanding them can help individuals and healthcare providers develop effective treatment plans to manage or even cure this condition. Below are some of the main causes and risk factors associated with urinary incontinence.

Some of temporary and short-term causes of incontinence:

- __Urinary tract infection__ – Urinary tract infections irritate and inflame the tissues in the bladder and urinary tract, causing urge incontinence. This kind of incontinence is temporary and will go away when the infection clears up.
- __Medications__ – Some diuretics or antidepressants could lead to incontinence as a temporary side effect.
- __Food and beverages__ – Drinks like coffee and alcohol can significantly increase the need to urinate much more often. The same goes for foods such as chocolate, chili peppers or citrus fruits.
- __Constipation__ – Some problems with bladder control can be caused by chronic constipation because the rectum shares many nerves with the bladder.

The following long-term causes could lead to incontinence:

- __Pregnancy and childbirth__ – The hormonal changes and weight of carrying around a foetus can affect the pelvic floor. Vaginal childbirth can damage the pelvic floor and the surrounding nerves and tissues, leading to chronic stress or urge incontinence.
- __Being overweight__ – Carrying extra pounds puts stress on the pelvic floor, leading to stress incontinence. This can usually be rectified by losing weight.
- __Menopause__ – The lack of oestrogen causes depletion of collagen in the bladder and urethra and weakens the tone overall. This leads to stress incontinence.
- __Previous surgery__ – Having undergone a previous surgery in your lower abdominal cavity, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, may have damaged the nerves leading to the bladder, resulting in urge incontinence.
- __Obstruction__ – Blockages anywhere along the urinary system, such as urinary stones or polyps along the bladder or urethra, can prevent the bladder from fully emptying, leading to overflow incontinence.
- __Neurological disorders__ – Diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s affect the brain’s communication with the nerves in the body, which can lead to urge incontinence.
- __Smoking__ – Chronic smokers' cough can weaken the pelvic floor by exerting continually repeated pressure on the muscles of the pelvic floor that can eventually lead to their weakening.
- __Urinary tract infection__ – Urinary tract infections irritate and inflame the tissues in the bladder and urinary tract, causing urge incontinence. This kind of incontinence is temporary and will go away when the infection clears up.
- __Familial history / genetics:__ it is very common to see weak bladder being passed down from mother to daughter regardless of history, child birth etc…

Causes and risk factors of urinary incontinence

There are a number of different types of bladder leakage a various ways of treating them. Visit our website to learn more!

Urge incontinence in women is a disorder of the urinary system. It consists of an urge need to urinate frequently and in very small amounts. Visit our website to learn how much is too much!

Treatment of urge incontinence can be divided in two ways: non-surgical and surgical treatment.

Non-surgical treatment consists of:

- lifestyle changes - less caffeine intake, more fluid intake, losing weight if overweight or obese;
- pelvic floor training - greatly beneficial when treating urinary incontinence;
- electrical stimulation - is recommended when the pelvic floor muscles cannot be tightened. A small probe is inserted into the vagina (in the case of constant urge to urinate in women) or anus (in the case of men). The current flowing through the probe helps to strengthen the muscles during exercise;
- biofeedback - a way of computer monitoring pelvic floor exercises through a probe in the vagina or rectum or by attaching electrodes to the skin of the abdomen or around the anus. This is designed to detect muscle tension;
- vaginal cones - used for constant urge to urinate in women, these are weights inserted into the vagina to be held by the pelvic floor muscles;
- bladder training - this involves learning a technique to increase the time between feeling like you need to urinate and passing urine;
- medicines for urge incontinence - the doctor may prescribe an antimuscarinic drug (oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin) or mirabegron - a drug that relaxes the bladder muscles (allowing it to fill and store urine).

When non-surgical methods do not help, surgical treatment of urinary incontinence is recommended:

- botulinum toxin A injection - the substance is injected into the sides of the bladder, allowing the bladder to relax;
- augmentation cystoplasty - this is an operation that enlarges the bladder by adding a piece of tissue from the bowel;
- urinary diversion - a procedure where the ureters are diverted outside the body, the urine is then collected in a bag without going into the bladder.

What are urge incontinence treatments?

Urinary stress incontinence is a common condition characterised by involuntary urine leakage during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity. __It stems from weakened pelvic floor muscles and increased abdominal pressure, which prevent the bladder from retaining urine__. In more advanced cases, bladder leakage when coughing or with even minimal effort can be particularly bothersome. However, __regular Kegel exercises, a proper diet, and avoiding factors that strain the bladder can significantly improve the condition__.

Urinary stress incontinence

This type of adult incontinence usually happens as a result of a blockage or weak bladder muscles that prevent the bladder from fully emptying or from signaling that it is full. Overflow incontinence is the only type of urinary incontinence more common in men than in women, although women can still have it. In women, weak bladder muscles, a blocked urethra, pelvic organ prolapse, scar tissue or kidney stones can cause overflow incontinence.

__*Treatments:*__

- Catheterisation

Catheterisation involves threading a thin, flexible plastic tube through your urethra up into your bladder in order to drain any remaining urine. This serves to alleviate the pressure put on the bladder when it is overly full or fails to empty. Catheterisation can either be intermittent or fixed. It should always be inserted under the guidance of a medical professional.

- Surgery

Surgery can be performed to remove any physical blockage of the bladder that is causing the overflow incontinence.

__Staying dry and comfortable__

Regardless of what type of adult incontinence or bladder leakage you may have, stay dry and confident with incontinence liners, pads and underwear.

__Overflow Incontinence__ is the result of not being able to completely empty the bladder, leading to dribbles of bladder leakage throughout the day. For women with overflow incontinence, the bladder never fully empties, leaving some urine in the bladder. This can increase your likelihood of contracting urinary tract infections.

One of the most common types of urinary incontinence is leakage during coughing. This is typically linked to increased __abdominal pressure__, such as during coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Coughing and urinary incontinence often stem from weakened pelvic floor muscles, making bladder control more challenging. Coughing and bladder leakage can be challenging, but effective treatment methods are available, such as __pelvic floor strengthening exercises and lifestyle modification__.

Incontinence when coughing

OG-What-s-Your-Type-of-Incontinence

OG-Just-How-Adult-Is-Adult-Incontinence

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Night Ultra Size 3 With Wings

Always Discreet Maxi Comfort Pads 8 Drop 6 ct

Always Discreet long pads, sensitive bladder, 5 drops, 10 count, without wings, complete protection. Plastic pack front panel in purple, Always logo dark purple.

Always Discreet Incontinence Pads Long 10 ct

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Always Discreet Plus Large incontinence pants packaging

Bladder Problems

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Types of Urinary Incontinence

What is Mixed Incontinence?