Urinary incontinence refers to the leakage of urine. This condition affects millions of people. Although urine leakage affects both men and women, women are two times more likely to have this problem. Though this is common, it is not normal. People are encouraged to seek help from health care professionals.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are 5 types of urinary incontinence
- Stress incontinence is when you leak urine when performing a task. This includes coughing, laughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
- Urge incontinence is when you have the sudden urge to urinate but can’t hold it in long enough to make it to the bathroom.
- Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
- Overflow incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine from an overdistended bladder due to impaired detrusor contractility and/or bladder outlet obstruction. As a result, small and frequent amounts of urine leak out later. This happens because the bladder gets too full.
- Functional incontinence is when your bladder and muscles work properly but you have other challenges. For example, you cannot access a bathroom, do not realize you have to use the bathroom, or have trouble removing your clothes.
Treatment Options
A visit with your health care provider can help you figure out what’s causing urinary incontinence. A combination of treatments may work best. The proper course of treatment depends on a few different factors. Some options include:
- Pelvic floor therapy
- Bladder retraining
- Behavioral and lifestyle changes
- Medical treatments
If you have questions about urinary incontinence, speak with your health care provider.
Physical Therapy can address pelvic and abdominal muscle coordination, strength and endurance through a therapy program that teaches you bladder control and home exercises. You will need a referral from your primary care provider to be seen by one of our pelvic floor providers.
