Incontinence

What causes incontinence in women?

Many factors can cause or contribute to both urinary incontinence (accidental urine leakage) and fecal incontinence (accidental stool leakage) in women. 

Incontinence becomes more common with age as hormone levels decline, so it’s particularly common in postmenopausal women. 

Other causes of urinary incontinence can include:

• Weakening of the muscles that control the movement of urine and stool
• Urinary tract infections
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Chronic constipation
• Neuromuscular disease
• Bladder stones
• Certain medications

Women who have had multiple vaginal deliveries can also be more prone to urinary incontinence.

What are the types of incontinence?

Types of incontinence and their symptoms include:

Stress urinary incontinence

Stress incontinence features urine leakage when you sneeze, cough, laugh hard, or make other movements that could stress your bladder. Some women experience urinary leakage during sex or other strenuous physical activity.

Urgency urinary incontinence

Urgency incontinence happens when powerful urges to urinate occur with little warning. Because it happens suddenly, urine leakage can happen before you make it to the bathroom. Sometimes urgency incontinence is called overactive bladder, however, not all cases of overactive bladder actually feature urine leakage.

Mixed incontinence

People with mixed incontinence have symptoms from both categories. 

Your provider can perform tests to determine the type of incontinence you’re experiencing and its potential causes.

How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?

In addition to a physical exam, a pelvic exam, and a symptom review, you may need tests to assess the muscle strength and capacity of the bladder. Or you may need a urinalysis to check for infections and other issues.

How is incontinence treated?

Lifestyle and dietary changes, such as losing weight and reducing caffeine and alcohol, can help your urinary incontinence symptoms.

The Women's Health Group, P.A. team may also recommend:

Pelvic floor therapy 

Pelvic floor therapy is specialized physical therapy to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. It involves special exercises and therapies performed by the physical therapist.

To learn more about incontinence and the treatments available at The Women's Health Group, P.A., call the office to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.