Incontinence Resource Center

Bladder incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, means you involuntarily pass urine. You may experience frequent urine dribbling due to incomplete bladder emptying, or leaks when the bladder is under stress, such as when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.

Treatment options vary depending on the type, cause, and severity of the incontinence, but they may involve medications, pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, electrical stimulation, medical devices, wearing a catheter, or surgery. Lifestyle changes are a key part of treatment, including diet changes, exercise, hydration, weight management, smoking cessation, and wearing absorbent pads.

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FAQ

What causes incontinence?

Diet choices, including caffeine, alcohol, and soda consumption, can cause temporary incontinence, as can urinary tract infections or constipation. Causes of persistent incontinence include aging, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, prostate enlargement or cancer, medication side effects, tumors, and nerve issues.

What are the different types of incontinence?

Stress, urge, overflow, and functional incontinence are common types. The type dictates how the incontinence feels and presents, and you can experience more than one type at once. People most often feel stress incontinence and urge incontinence at the same time.

How is incontinence diagnosed?

It is diagnosed with physical exams, bladder diaries, urinalysis, and a test for how much urine remains in the bladder after a pee (called post-void residual measurement). A doctor may request urodynamic testing and a pelvic ultrasound if they’re considering surgery.

Can lifestyle changes help with incontinence?

Maintaining good hygiene, wearing absorbent pads, and using skin products like barrier creams and specialized urine cleansers can help you reduce the impact of incontinence. Improving bathroom access by adding lighting and removing tripping hazards may help people with urge incontinence or functional incontinence at night.

What are common treatments for incontinence?

Depending on the cause, incontinence treatments may include pelvic floor therapy, bladder training, medications (anticholinergics, mirabegron, estrogen, alpha-blockers), medical devices (inserts, pessaries, nerve stimulators), electrical stimulation, injections, different surgical procedures, and catheters.

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