Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine. It may be related to infection, problems with the nerves and muscles of the bladder, physical or mental disabilities, or problems with the structure of the urinary tract.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease, but it may indicate a problem with the urinary tract, such as a urinary tract infection.

Incontinence may occur for only a short time (acute) or it may be an ongoing (chronic) problem. Generally, incontinence usually clears up when the underlying problem, such as a urinary tract infection, is treated successfully. Depending on the cause, treatment may cure chronic incontinence. If the condition cannot be completely cured, it usually can be managed to limit its effect on a person's daily life. This leakage often occurs when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or have sudden urges to go to the bathroom and can't get there in time. Incontinence is not a disease but a symptom of a problem with the lower urinary tract, and it is very common, especially among older adults. Typically, urinary incontinence does not cause major health problems, but it can be embarrassing and can affect a woman's self-esteem and confidence.

The kidneys and bladder work together to make urine and remove it from your body. The kidneys filter waste products and water from the blood to form urine. The urine moves from the kidneys through tubes called ureters to the bladder, which stores the urine until it is full. From the bladder, urine leaves the body through another thin tube, the urethra. Once the bladder starts to empty, it normally empties all of the urine.

Symptoms of stress incontinence involve the involuntary release of urine, especially when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. It is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women. It usually results in a small to moderate amount of urine leaked.

Symptoms of urge incontinence include the need to urinate frequently and a sudden, urgent, and uncontrollable need to urinate. It can result in a moderate to large amount of urine leaked, although it often occurs when the bladder contains only a small amount of urine.

It is common for a woman to have mixed incontinence, usually a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

To find out what type of incontinence you may have, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you sometimes leak urine during exercise or lifting?
• Do you sometimes leak urine when you cough, laugh, or sneeze?
• Do you usually leak a small to moderate amount of urine?

If you answer yes to any of these, talk to one of our health care specialists to discuss your options, such as home treatments, medications and surgery.

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