Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It is a very common problem in both men and women. It can be a hugely bothersome and distressing condition.

Urinary incontinence can be classified according to which symptom is most predominant.

Stress incontinence refers to the leakage of urine when doing physical activity, for example, when walking, jumping or even sneezing, coughing or laughing. This may be causes by weak pelvic floor muscles, or after certain types of pelvic or prostate surgery.

Urge incontinence occurs when the sensation to pass urine cannot be controlled. Urge incontinence can be caused by overactivity of the bladder muscle (the detrusor), which may occur as an isolated symptoms or in conjunction with prostate problems in men. Stress and urge incontinence can occur together.

Overflow incontinence occurs when a chronically full bladder leaks regularly; often patients who have a chronically full bladder (chronic urinary retention) are unaware until they start to leak.