Illness name: urinary incontinence
Description:
Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people.
There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:
It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.
Find out more about the
symptoms of urinary incontinence
.
See a GP if you have any type of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a common problem and you should not feel embarrassed talking to them about your symptoms.
This can also be the first step towards finding a way to effectively manage the problem.
Urinary incontinence can usually be diagnosed after a consultation with a GP, who will ask about your symptoms and may do a pelvic or rectal examination, depending on whether you have a vagina or a penis.
The GP may also suggest you keep a diary in which you note how much fluid you drink and how often you have to urinate.
Find out about
diagnosing urinary incontinence
.
Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.
Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.
Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.
Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area (fistula).
Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:
Find out more about the
causes of urinary incontinence
.
Initially, a GP may suggest some simple measures to see if they help improve your symptoms.
These may include:
You may also benefit from the use of
incontinence products
, such as absorbent pads and handheld urinals.
Medicine may be recommended if you're still unable to manage your symptoms.
Find out more about
non-surgical treatments for urinary incontinence
.
Surgery may also be considered. The procedures that are suitable for you will depend on the type of incontinence you have.
Surgical treatment for stress incontinence, such as a sling procedure, is used to reduce pressure on the bladder or strengthen the muscles that control urination.
Surgery to treat urge incontinence includes enlarging the bladder or implanting a device that stimulates the nerve that controls the detrusor muscles.
Find out more about
surgery and procedures for urinary incontinence
.
It's not always possible to prevent urinary incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it happening.
These include:
Being obese can increase your risk of urinary incontinence. You may be able to lower your risk by maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and healthy eating.
Use the healthy weight calculator to see if you are a healthy weight for your height.
Get more information and advice about
losing weight
.
Depending on your particular bladder problem, a GP can advise you about the amount of fluids you should drink.
If you have urinary incontinence, cut down on alcohol and drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola. These can cause your kidneys to produce more urine and irritate your bladder.
The recommended weekly limit for alcohol consumption is 14 units.
A unit of alcohol is roughly half a pint of normal strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits.
Find out more about alcohol units.
If you have to urinate frequently during the night (nocturia), try drinking less in the hours before you go to bed. However, make sure you still drink enough fluids during the day.
Being pregnant and giving birth can weaken the muscles that control the flow of urine from your bladder. If you're pregnant, strengthening your pelvic floor muscles may help prevent urinary incontinence.
Find out more about
exercise during pregnancy
.
Everyone may benefit from strengthening their pelvic floor muscles with pelvic floor exercises.
Find out more about
pelvic floor exercises
.
If you:
Our
guide to social care and support
explains your options and where you can get support.
Page last reviewed: 07 November 2019
Overview
-
Urinary incontinence
When to seek medical advice
Causes of urinary incontinence
Treating urinary incontinence
Non-surgical treatments
Surgical treatments
Preventing urinary incontinence
Healthy weight
Drinking habits
Pelvic floor exercises
Social care and support guide
Next review due: 07 November 2022