Urinary Incontinence

Many women leak urine from time to time. Leakage of urine can happen with certain movements, during pregnancy or during physical activities. Some women find they lose urine with the sound of running water or lose urine with the first sensation of the need to urinate.

There are three kinds of incontinence:

• Urge: This is the most common type. It is due to spasms of the detrussor muscle (the muscle of the bladder). This leads to loss of urine with the sensation of the need to urinate.

• Stress: This occurs when pressure inside the bladder, which moves urine out, is greater than pressure in the urethra, which keeps urine in. This leads to a loss of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing or physical activity. The cause is weakening of the muscles surrounding and supporting the urethra and bladder.

• Overflow: This occurs when the bladder fails to empty during voiding. The result is a steady leakage of small amounts of urine. This is the least common type of incontinence and is due an underactive detrussor muscle.

The causes of incontinence also may be a urinary tract infection, pelvic support problems, abnormalities of the urinary tract, medications, neuromuscular problems or physical limitations. Your provider can diagnose which type of incontinence you have based on your medical history, physical examination and through specific tests.

Treatment may include behavioral modifications, medications, surgery or pessaries (a device inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs). Kegel exercises may be recommended to strengthen the pelvic muscles that support the bladder and urethra.

Additional information is available at the following link: Female Urinary Incontinence

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on the Gynecology & Infertility Associates website should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.