Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Urinary Incontinence—Female

(Incontinence, Urinary; Incontinence, Stress; Incontinence, Urge; Incontinence, Overflow; Incontinence, Functional; Stress Incontinence; Urge Incontinence; Overflow Incontinence; Functional Incontinence; Overactive Bladder)
by Julie Riley, MS, RD
Definition

Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control leading to urine leakage. It can be temporary or chronic (lasting for a long time). Incontinence is a symptom, not a condition in and of itself.

Causes

Temporary incontinence can be caused by:

More permanent urinary incontinence may be one of four types. Some people have a mixture of these types. In some cases, incontinence may have several different causes. The cause may also be unclear.

Stress Incontinence

This results when certain activities lead to increased pressure on the bladder. Triggers may be laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or exercise. This is the most common type of incontinence. It may be caused by:

  • Obesity
  • Weakening of muscles that control urine flow
  • Weakening of the muscles that suspend the bladder

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is a loss of bladder control following a strong urge to urinate. The person is not able to hold urine long enough to make it to a restroom. This is also known as overactive bladder. It may be caused or worsened by:

Overflow Incontinence

This occurs when the bladder will not empty. Urine builds up, and this causes an overflow and leaking of urine. It may be caused by:

  • Nerve damage due to:
    • Diabetes
    • Other factors
    • Spinal cord injuries
    • Surgery
  • A bladder that is blocked, such as by a scar in the urethra (stricture)
  • Drugs (eg, antidepressants, hypnotics, antipsychotics, antihistamines, calcium channel blockers)
  • Fecal impaction
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Weak bladder muscles
Functional Incontinence

This occurs when there is normal bladder control, but an inability to reach the toilet in time. An example would be severe arthritis. Drugs that cause confusion or sedation can also cause functional incontinence.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is a symptom of other conditions. Any loss of bladder control can be considered incontinence.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Call your doctor if you experience a loss of urine control. Your doctor can help you determine the underlying cause.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will be asked how often you empty your bladder and patterns of urine leakage. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for any physical causes, such as blockages or nerve problems. You will keep a diary of your bladder habits. You may be referred to a urologist or a urogynecologist.

Tests may include:

  • Blood tests to detect diabetes
  • Cystoscopy—a thin tube with a tiny camera is inserted in the urethra to view the urethra and bladder
  • Stress test—You relax then cough as your doctor watches for loss of urine. This will confirm if you have stress incontinence.
  • Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to examine structures inside the body to determine the residual urine volume after voiding
  • Urine tests
  • Urodynamic tests—tests used to measure the flow of urine and pressure in the bladder
Treatment

Treatments may include:

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy includes:

  • Making muscles stronger by doing Kegel exercises—This strengthens the muscles that hold the bladder in place and those that control urine flow.
  • Biofeedback—This involves being attached to a device with sensors. When doing pelvic floor muscles, the device shows a signal on the screen, indicating how strong you are contracting your muscles.
  • Bladder training—This can be done by setting a regular, timed schedule for emptying your bladder and by drinking fewer liquids.
  • Painless electrical stimulation is sometimes used to strengthen the muscles more quickly and is helpful for stress incontinence.
  • Pelvic floor exercises may also be done using cone-shaped weights that are placed in the vagina.
Weight Loss

If you are a woman who is overweight or obese, losing weight may help to reduce the number of episodes due to stress or urge incontinence. Talk to your doctor about a weight loss program that is right for you.

Medication

Medicines may be prescribed to relax the bladder muscles. These types of medicines, called anticholinergics, are often used in treating urge incontinence. Examples include:

  • Darifenacin (Enablex)
  • Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
  • Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
  • Solifenacin (Vesicare)
  • Tolterodine (Detrol)
Nerve Stimulation

Nerve stimulation is effective for urge urinary incontinence. It can be done by stimulating a nerve in your ankle. Or, it can be done by implanting a device that stimulates the bladder nerves.

Surgery

In women, surgery can support weakened muscles related to bladder function. Other procedures involve collagen injections into the urethra.

Devices

Absorbent diapers are often used with incontinence.

Plugs and patches that hold urine in place are available for women. Catheters are sometimes used to treat more severe cases. Alternatively, pessaries may be used in women. Pessaries are devices that raise the uterus or the prolapsed bladder. This decreases pressure on the bladder.

Home Care
  • If needed, keep a bedpan handy in your bedroom.
  • Make it easier for you to get to the bathroom. For example, rearrange furniture and remove throw rugs. Add night lights in the hallway and in the bathroom.
  • Take care of your skin by gently cleaning yourself after an episode of incontinence. Let the skin air dry.
Prevention

Incontinence is really a symptom of another condition. There are several ways to prevent incontinence:

  • Eat a healthy diet to avoid constipation.
  • If advised by your doctor, do Kegel exercises.
  • Lose weight.
  • Reduce your intake of substances that lead to incontinence (eg, caffeine, alcohol, and certain drugs).

Last reviewed: September 2011 by Adrienne Carmack, MD.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
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