Urinary Incontinence
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the unintended loss of bladder control. It is common in women and men, but more women experience it. For some women, everyday actions such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, and physical activity may cause a small amount of urine to leak.
The two most common types of urinary incontinence that affect women are stress incontinence and urge incontinence, also called overactive bladder. Incontinence affects twice as many women as men.
What causes Urinary Incontinence?
The urgent and frequent need to pass urine can be caused by a problem with the detrusor muscles in the walls of the bladder. The detrusor muscles relax to allow the bladder to fill with urine, then contract when you go to the toilet to let the urine out.
Risk & Complications
Common risk factors & complications of urinary incontinence can include but are not limited to:
- Rashes
- Skin infections & sores
- Urinary tract infections
- Affects on social and personal life
- Overweight or obesity
- Smoking
- Chronic coughing
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Nerve injuries to the lower back
- Pelvic surgery