Types of Urinary Incontinence

There are different types of urinary incontinence. Find out which type of incontinence that you have, so you can receive the proper treatment. You can have more than one type of incontinence. Your doctor can help determine your type of urinary incontinence, and get you started on the right kind of treatment.


Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary incontinence. Stress incontinence is when urine leaks from the bladder with activities such as a cough, laugh, sneeze, or with physical exertion (lifting or running). This is usually caused by weak or overstretched pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder. Multiple pregnancies, childbirth, and abdominal surgeries can cause the pelvic floor muscles to become over flexible and weak. The bladder can drop down toward the vagina and leak urine when there is any abdominal exertion. Stress incontinence causes very small to moderate amounts of urine to leak from your bladder. Normally, a strong pelvic floor can support the bladder and stop urine from leaking when you sneeze or cough. Stress incontinence can also occur in men that have prostate conditions. Medications are typically not indicated or helpful to treat this type of urinary incontinence. Go to our treatment page to see how you can begin treatment for your stress incontinence.


Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is also known as over active bladder syndrome. Urge incontinence is when the bladder muscles squeeze too often, or very suddenly, when you do not want them to act. When the muscles spasm, this causes urine to leak from the bladder. People who have urge incontinence need to urinate very frequently, or very suddenly without warning. Moderate to large amounts of urine can leak out with this type of incontinence. People with urge incontinence are susceptible to injuries or falls due to the urgency of needing to urinate. Moving quickly to get to the bathroom can lead to a fall or injury. This is one of the main causes of nursing home admissions with older adults. Medications may be an option to relax the bladder muscles to prevent the bladder from squeezing. Medications are not indicated for everyone and they do have some side effects. Talk to your doctor to find out if medication may help you if you suffer from urge incontinence.


Mixed Incontinence

Mixed incontinence is a combination of the above two types of urinary incontinence. People may have loss of urine with a cough or sneeze, as well as severe urgency to go. Mixed incontinence can be caused by a combination of weakness in the pelvic floor, sphincter muscles, and nerves surrounding the bladder. It can also be caused by a blocked urethra (tube that carries urine outside the body), as seen in men with prostate conditions.


Overflow Incontinence

Overflow Incontinence is when the bladder never completely empties when urinating, and small amounts of urine continue to leak after going to the bathroom. It can be characterized by a constant dribbling of urine, or inability to start the flow of urine. Overflow incontinence can be seen in men and women with weak bladder muscles, nervous system disorders, prostate enlargement, or a blocked urethra (tube that passes urine outside the body).


Functional Incontinence

Functional incontinence is when the urinary system functions normally, but a physical or mental disability prevents the person from reaching the bathroom in time to void. People who suffer from alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia have difficulty recognizing when they need to use the bathroom or where the bathroom is located. Other people who have severe mobility limitations, such as a person confined to a wheelchair, can also have trouble with incontinence because they simply cannot transfer themselves to the commode without assistance. Parkinson's disease can also cause people to be unable to initiate the task of walking, and this can create problems with incontinence because a person cannot get to the bathroom in time to void.