Two Most Common Types of Incontinence

The two most common types of incontinence are overactive bladder (or urge incontinence) and stress incontinence.

Stress Incontinence

Most bladder control problems happen when muscles are too weak or too active. If the muscles that keep your bladder closed are weak, you may have accidents. This is stress incontinence.  Stress incontinence results in leakage of urine when a woman coughs, laughs, sneezes, exercises or performs any other activity that increases abdominal pressure.

This is the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-age women. In some cases it is related to childbirth. It may also begin around the time of menopause.

Urge Incontinence

Also referred to as overactive bladder,  results from involuntary contractions of a specific part of the bladder causing urine loss.If your bladder muscles become too active, you may feel a strong urge to go to the bathroom when you have little urine in your bladder. Healthy people can suffer from urge incontinence, but it is often found in people who have diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. It is also sometimes an early sign of bladder cancer.

Sometimes a woman may suffer from a combination of both types called mixed incontinence.

This information is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, or have any questions, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.