Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesRisk FactorsTreatmentSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
Urinary incontinenceoccurs when you cannot control your bladder and you leak urine. The main types are stress incontinence, in which you leak when you cough or sneeze, and urge incontinence, in which you suddenly need to pee but can’t hold it. Other types include overflow, total, and functional incontinence.A healthcare provider can help you determine the cause and course of treatment.This article covers the causes of each type of incontinence and available treatment options.ljubaphoto / Getty ImagesCauses of Urinary IncontinenceUrinary incontinencecan result from daily habits, such as drinking too much caffeine, health conditions, or medication side effects. Some causes, like infections or constipation, can lead to temporary issues, while others, such as diabetes or spinal cord injuries, can cause long-term problems.Stress IncontinenceStress incontinenceoccurs when pressure on your bladder causes urine leakage, especially when you cough or sneeze.Weakpelvic floor muscles, which normally keep the bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) closed, are the leading cause. When these muscles are weak, they can’t hold back the urine under pressure.Urge IncontinenceUrge incontinencehappens when you suddenly need to pee and can’t hold it long enough to get to the bathroom. Underlying causes include:Bladder stonesDiabetesLow estrogenNerve damageObesityOveractive bladderUrinary tract infectionWeak pelvic floor musclesOverflow IncontinenceOverflow incontinence is when yourbladder doesn’t empty completelyand fills until it overflows. Weak bladder muscles, a blockage in the urethra, or nerve problems can cause this issue.Over time, if the bladder stretches, it may not send strong signals to the brain, so you might not feel the urge to pee even though your bladder is full.An enlargedprostateis a common cause of overflow incontinence in males. As the prostate gets bigger, it squeezes the urethra, causing urine to back up, similar to a clogged sink. At first, a little water might linger in the sink, but if you keep the faucet on, the sink will eventually overflow.Total IncontinenceTotal incontinence is when you cannot control your bladder at all. Serious issues like spinal cord injuries, conditions present at birth, or nerve damage can cause permanent incontinence. However, if an infection is the problem, it may be temporary, and treatment will likely improve it.Functional IncontinenceFunctional incontinence occurs when physical or mental issues prevent you from getting to the bathroom in time. Conditions like arthritis or memory problems can make it hard to move quickly or remember to go, leading to accidents even if your bladder is healthy.Medicines That May Cause IncontinenceIncontinence can be a medication side effect. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can block a chemical that helps the bladder empty completely.Diuretics like Lasix (furosemide), which (help remove excess fluids and salts from the body), increase urine production, which can overwhelm the bladder. Other examples include:AntidepressantsAntipsychoticsBlood pressure medicationsHormone replacementMuscle relaxersOpioidsParkinson’s disease medicationsSedativesRisk Factors for IncontinenceThere are many risk factors for incontinence depending on the condition. Examples include:Weakened pelvic floor muscles can cause stress incontinence.An overactive bladder increases the risk of urge incontinence.A large prostate is a concern for overflow incontinence.Spinal cord injuries are a risk for total incontinence.Memory problems are a greater risk for functional incontinence.Risk factors that increase the likelihood of incontinence include:AgingAltered mental stateBladder irritants like caffeine and alcoholConstipationCoughingDiabetesEnlarged prostateHeart diseaseHigh impact sportsHysterectomy(removal of female reproductive organs)Infections (urinary, vaginal, prostate)Limited mobilityMenopause(when the menstrual cycle has stopped for 12 straight months)Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s diseaseNot being activeObesityPolyuria(peeing a lot, often due to diuretics or diabetes)Pregnancy and childbirthProstate surgeryProstatitis(irritation and swelling of the prostate)SmokingStressThin, dry vaginal and urethral tissuesUrinary tract infectionsHow Is Urinary Incontinence Treated?When treating urinary incontinence, healthcare providers look for obvious causes, like an infection or constipation, and treat those first. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and spicy foods, or losing weight.Treatment can also be specific to each type of incontinence.Stress Incontinence TreatmentStress incontinence treatment options include:Artificial urinarysphincter (AUS) in malesBladder sling surgery (to support the bladder and urethra)Bulking agents (to help the urethra close more tightly)Pelvic floor exercises(including Kegels)Urethral inserts (tampon-like devices)Vaginal estrogen (strengthens urethral tissue)Vaginal pessaries(soft, removable devices inserted in the vagina)Urge Incontinence TreatmentUrge incontinence treatments include:Bladder retrainingBotox(onabotulinumtoxinA) injectionsMedications like Ditropan (oxybutynin), Myrbetriq (mirabegron), or Enablex (darifenacin)Neuromodulation (helps nerves control the bladder)Pelvic floor exercisesAdditional Treatment OptionsTreatment for overflow, total, and functional incontinence involves fixing the underlying condition when possible. Overflow incontinence often requires surgery, like a prostate reduction. A urinary catheter or supportive care (absorbent products) may be necessary to treat overflow or total incontinence.In addition, the following may be beneficial for those with functional incontinence:Assistive devices (walker, bedside commode)Cognitive therapyImproved bathroom accessPhysical therapyWhen to Contact a Healthcare ProviderUrinary incontinence can beembarrassing and inconvenient, but there are ways to manage it. Contact a healthcare provider if it interferes with daily life, causes emotional distress, or if you experience the following:A weak urine streamBloody or cloudy urineDifficulty emptying your bladderFrequent urination (eight or more times a day)Incontinence that worsens despite treatmentInfections that recurPain or burning when you peePelvic painTrouble starting or stopping urinationSeek emergency care if you experience:High feverLarge amounts of blood in the urineSevere painSudden loss of bladder control with confusion or weaknessThe inability to urinate even though you have a full bladderSummaryUrinary incontinence occurs when you lose control over your bladder and this leads to urine leakage. The main types are stress and urge incontinence. However, you can also experience overflow incontinence, total incontinence, and functional incontinence. Underlying causes might involve bladder irritants, weak bladder muscles, medication side effects, diabetes, prostate problems, menopause, or surgery.While some types of incontinence may respond to lifestyle changes, others may require medications, medical devices, surgery, or urinary catheters. If you experience incontinence, contact a healthcare provider to understand your treatment options.
Urinary incontinenceoccurs when you cannot control your bladder and you leak urine. The main types are stress incontinence, in which you leak when you cough or sneeze, and urge incontinence, in which you suddenly need to pee but can’t hold it. Other types include overflow, total, and functional incontinence.
A healthcare provider can help you determine the cause and course of treatment.
This article covers the causes of each type of incontinence and available treatment options.
ljubaphoto / Getty Images
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinencecan result from daily habits, such as drinking too much caffeine, health conditions, or medication side effects. Some causes, like infections or constipation, can lead to temporary issues, while others, such as diabetes or spinal cord injuries, can cause long-term problems.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinenceoccurs when pressure on your bladder causes urine leakage, especially when you cough or sneeze.Weakpelvic floor muscles, which normally keep the bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) closed, are the leading cause. When these muscles are weak, they can’t hold back the urine under pressure.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinencehappens when you suddenly need to pee and can’t hold it long enough to get to the bathroom. Underlying causes include:
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence is when yourbladder doesn’t empty completelyand fills until it overflows. Weak bladder muscles, a blockage in the urethra, or nerve problems can cause this issue.Over time, if the bladder stretches, it may not send strong signals to the brain, so you might not feel the urge to pee even though your bladder is full.
An enlargedprostateis a common cause of overflow incontinence in males. As the prostate gets bigger, it squeezes the urethra, causing urine to back up, similar to a clogged sink. At first, a little water might linger in the sink, but if you keep the faucet on, the sink will eventually overflow.
Total Incontinence
Total incontinence is when you cannot control your bladder at all. Serious issues like spinal cord injuries, conditions present at birth, or nerve damage can cause permanent incontinence. However, if an infection is the problem, it may be temporary, and treatment will likely improve it.
Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence occurs when physical or mental issues prevent you from getting to the bathroom in time. Conditions like arthritis or memory problems can make it hard to move quickly or remember to go, leading to accidents even if your bladder is healthy.
Medicines That May Cause Incontinence
Incontinence can be a medication side effect. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can block a chemical that helps the bladder empty completely.Diuretics like Lasix (furosemide), which (help remove excess fluids and salts from the body), increase urine production, which can overwhelm the bladder. Other examples include:
Risk Factors for Incontinence
There are many risk factors for incontinence depending on the condition. Examples include:
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of incontinence include:
How Is Urinary Incontinence Treated?
When treating urinary incontinence, healthcare providers look for obvious causes, like an infection or constipation, and treat those first. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and spicy foods, or losing weight.Treatment can also be specific to each type of incontinence.
Stress Incontinence Treatment
Stress incontinence treatment options include:
Urge Incontinence Treatment
Urge incontinence treatments include:
Additional Treatment Options
Treatment for overflow, total, and functional incontinence involves fixing the underlying condition when possible. Overflow incontinence often requires surgery, like a prostate reduction. A urinary catheter or supportive care (absorbent products) may be necessary to treat overflow or total incontinence.In addition, the following may be beneficial for those with functional incontinence:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Urinary incontinence can beembarrassing and inconvenient, but there are ways to manage it. Contact a healthcare provider if it interferes with daily life, causes emotional distress, or if you experience the following:
Seek emergency care if you experience:
Summary
Urinary incontinence occurs when you lose control over your bladder and this leads to urine leakage. The main types are stress and urge incontinence. However, you can also experience overflow incontinence, total incontinence, and functional incontinence. Underlying causes might involve bladder irritants, weak bladder muscles, medication side effects, diabetes, prostate problems, menopause, or surgery.
While some types of incontinence may respond to lifestyle changes, others may require medications, medical devices, surgery, or urinary catheters. If you experience incontinence, contact a healthcare provider to understand your treatment options.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ganesh A.Primary care approach to urinary incontinence in the elderly.Current Medical Issues.2020;18(3):240-244. doi:10.4103/cmi.cmi_19_20Chung E, Katz DJ, Love C.Adult male stress and urge urinary incontinence - a review of pathophysiology and treatment strategies for voiding dysfunction in men.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(9):661-666. PMID:28892597.Chen SF, Lee YK, Kuo HC.Satisfaction with urinary incontinence treatments in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(19):5864. doi:10.3390/jcm11195864National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Dobrek L.Lower urinary tract disorders as adverse drug reactions-a literature review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(7):1031. doi:10.3390/ph16071031Hu JS, Pierre EF.Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):339-348. PMID:31524367.MedlinePlus.Stress urinary incontinence.National Institute on Aging.Urinary incontinence.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ganesh A.Primary care approach to urinary incontinence in the elderly.Current Medical Issues.2020;18(3):240-244. doi:10.4103/cmi.cmi_19_20Chung E, Katz DJ, Love C.Adult male stress and urge urinary incontinence - a review of pathophysiology and treatment strategies for voiding dysfunction in men.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(9):661-666. PMID:28892597.Chen SF, Lee YK, Kuo HC.Satisfaction with urinary incontinence treatments in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(19):5864. doi:10.3390/jcm11195864National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Dobrek L.Lower urinary tract disorders as adverse drug reactions-a literature review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(7):1031. doi:10.3390/ph16071031Hu JS, Pierre EF.Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):339-348. PMID:31524367.MedlinePlus.Stress urinary incontinence.National Institute on Aging.Urinary incontinence.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ganesh A.Primary care approach to urinary incontinence in the elderly.Current Medical Issues.2020;18(3):240-244. doi:10.4103/cmi.cmi_19_20Chung E, Katz DJ, Love C.Adult male stress and urge urinary incontinence - a review of pathophysiology and treatment strategies for voiding dysfunction in men.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(9):661-666. PMID:28892597.Chen SF, Lee YK, Kuo HC.Satisfaction with urinary incontinence treatments in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(19):5864. doi:10.3390/jcm11195864National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).Dobrek L.Lower urinary tract disorders as adverse drug reactions-a literature review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(7):1031. doi:10.3390/ph16071031Hu JS, Pierre EF.Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):339-348. PMID:31524367.MedlinePlus.Stress urinary incontinence.National Institute on Aging.Urinary incontinence.
Ganesh A.Primary care approach to urinary incontinence in the elderly.Current Medical Issues.2020;18(3):240-244. doi:10.4103/cmi.cmi_19_20
Chung E, Katz DJ, Love C.Adult male stress and urge urinary incontinence - a review of pathophysiology and treatment strategies for voiding dysfunction in men.Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(9):661-666. PMID:28892597.
Chen SF, Lee YK, Kuo HC.Satisfaction with urinary incontinence treatments in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(19):5864. doi:10.3390/jcm11195864
National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Dobrek L.Lower urinary tract disorders as adverse drug reactions-a literature review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(7):1031. doi:10.3390/ph16071031
Hu JS, Pierre EF.Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):339-348. PMID:31524367.
MedlinePlus.Stress urinary incontinence.
National Institute on Aging.Urinary incontinence.
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