Urinary Incontinence Types and Risk Factors

Urinary incontinence is a condition of leaking urine without knowing it. In this condition, a person’s control over their urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened and he or she urinates uncontrollably even if they do not want to. Urinary incontinence is a more common problem in women than in men.

What can cause urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is usually caused by problems with the weak bladder muscles and nerves. In women, certain health incidents such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can cause urinary incontinence. Sometimes being overweight can also be a reason behind the unintentional urine loss.

What are the different types of urinary incontinence?

Urinary Incontinence is divided into the following types:

• Stress incontinence: Urine leaks with sudden pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. 

• Overflow incontinence: A frequent leak of urine due to difficulties emptying the bladder.

• Urge incontinence: A sudden and intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary urine loss.

• Functional incontinence: This type of incontinence is caused by physical barriers or mental issues preventing the patient from reaching the toilet in time.

• Mixed incontinence: You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence caused by multiple underlying issues.

Who is at risk for urinary incontinence?

Anyone can develop some form of incontinence at any age. Risk factors for urinary incontinence:

• Gender, as women are more likely to have incontinence
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Neurological and musculoskeletal conditions

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Urinary incontinence can be treated by medications and with other techniques like using medical devices, Interventional therapies or urogynecology surgery, depending on the type of incontinence and its severity.

If you are facing bladder control problems for a long time, you must visit a Urogynecology center to get the right treatment.

We at NU Hospitals perform certain essential tests to diagnose the exact causes of incontinence. We also have a team of experienced Urology and Urogynecology specialists in India.

Seek Treatment at NU Hospitals