What are the types of urinary incontinence?

Although there are several types and causes for urinary incontinence, the three most common types are stress, urge, and mixed incontinence. 

Stress incontinence

With this type of incontinence, a person experiences urine leakage when pressure is exerted on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting a heavy object. This is typically associated with a loss of support at the junction of the urethra and bladder.

Urge incontinence

This type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden urge to urinate, closely followed by leaking urine. Usually, the individual describes being unable to make it to the restroom in time. 

Mixed Incontinence

This is a combination of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.  

Determining the cause of your loss of bladder control is the first step in finding a treatment path. 

What causes urinary incontinence?

Many different things can cause or contribute to urinary incontinence. Some of those factors are within your control, while many are not. 

Stress incontinence is typically the result of poor urethral support or functioning related to weakened pelvic floor muscles or tissues. 

Common contributing causes for this include: 

• Tissue damage from childbirth
• Pelvic or vaginal prolapse
• Cystocele or “fallen bladder”
• Menopause, due to a lack of hormones
• Chronic cough, COPD
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Certain medications such as diuretics

Urge incontinence is related to a neuromuscular problem that causes the bladder to contract involuntarily before it’s full. Treatment for this is typically focused on medications that help to inhibit the bladder contractions. 

Factors that can contribute to urge incontinence include:

• Smoking
• Certain medications
• Certain foods and beverages that stimulate your bladder (such as alcohol and caffeine)
• Urinary tract infection 

During your diagnostic exam, your practitioner will work to determine what is causing changes in your bladder function. 

What can be done to improve urinary incontinence?

There are numerous ways to treat urinary incontinence. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and the type of incontinence you have. Pelvic floor physical therapy, which works to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, may offer improvement in your symptoms and negate the need for surgery. There are medications that can help improve bladder control as well. 

When more conservative measures no longer work, surgery can help by creating a supportive sling to hold your bladder in the optimal position. Dr. Kroeger at Advanced Women’s Healthcare of Waxahachie offers the Gynecare TVT® sling for these occasions. 

If you’d like more information, call the office to schedule a visit or request an appointment online.