Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI), or the unintentional loss of urine, is a problem for more than 13 million Americans—85 percent of them women. Although about half of the elderly have episodes of incontinence, bladder problems are not a natural consequence of aging, and they are not exclusively a problem of the elderly.

Incontinence has several causes. Women are most likely to develop incontinence either during pregnancy and childbirth, or after the hormonal changes of menopause, because of weakened pelvic muscles. Older men can become incontinent as the result of prostate surgery. Pelvic trauma, spinal cord damage, caffeine, or medications including cold or over-the-counter diet tablets also can cause episodes of incontinence.

But even though urinary incontinence can be improved in 8 out of 10 cases, fewer than half of those with bladder problems ever discuss the condition with their health care professional. The condition often goes untreated.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a common health condition that involves loss of bladder control and involuntary leakage of urine.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis

Urinary Incontinence Treatments

Urinary Incontinence in Children

Urinary Incontinence in Men

Urinary Incontinence in Women

Types of Bladder Control Problems in Women

How is Urine Leakage Treated?

Obesity and Urinary Incontinence

Latest Urinary Incontinence News and Research

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy brings long-term relief after cancer radiation

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment provides long-term relief for patients suffering from late radiation-induced injuries after treatment of cancer in the lower abdominal area.

23 Apr 2025

Telehealth matches in-person therapy for treating women with postpartum incontinence

Women who experience urinary incontinence after giving birth may get just as much relief from telehealth as they do from physical therapy, a new UC San Francisco study has found.

21 Apr 2025

USC researchers reveal brain activity behind post stroke urinary incontinence

A new USC-led study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to urinary incontinence, a common condition affecting stroke survivors that has a significant impact on their quality of life.

10 Apr 2025

New guidelines recommend 2 hours of weekly exercise for postpartum women

New mums should be strongly encouraged to begin clocking up at least two hours of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity such as brisk walking and muscle strengthening exercises each week in the first three months after birth, when physically able, to improve health and well-being, say experts in a new guideline published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

26 Mar 2025

New technique doubles erectile function preservation in prostate surgery

A technique to improve the precision of prostate cancer surgery means that almost twice as many men preserve their erectile function compared to those undergoing standard surgery, according to results from a clinical trial led by researchers from UCL and UCLH.

24 Mar 2025

Women with urinary incontinence can avoid invasive bladder pressure tests

Women with ongoing urinary incontinence could avoid invasive bladder pressure tests, as new research shows that a range of non-invasive assessments work just as well in guiding treatment.

22 Mar 2025

Aquablation shows promise for treating enlarged prostate with fewer side effects

Using a high-pressure water jet to operate on an enlarged prostate can better preserve the ability to ejaculate, compared with standard laser surgery, finds research.

22 Mar 2025

Partial gland cryoablation offers long-term success for prostate cancer patients

A five-year study on men that had just the cancerous portion of their prostate glands destroyed shows that the procedure averted cancer recurrence in most patients while preserving urinary and sexual function.

6 Mar 2025

Study finds variations in prostate cancer detection across GP practices

A largescale study has found huge variation between GP practices on whether they are likely to pick up prostate cancer using a blood test.

24 Feb 2025

Eating behavior associated with pelvic floor disorder symptoms in middle-aged women

According to a recent study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, eating behavior is associated with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women.

13 Feb 2025

Poor positioning of menstrual cup linked to kidney complications

A poorly positioned menstrual cup to capture monthly blood flow may lead to more serious complications than leakage alone, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after treating a young woman with uterohydronephrosis-a swollen kidney caused by blocked urine flow into the bladder.

10 Feb 2025

MRI-guided SBRT reduces side effects in prostate cancer treatment

After a comprehensive two-year follow-up, researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that MRI-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer significantly reduced long-term side effects and improved quality of life, particularly in bowel and sexual health, compared to conventional CT-guided treatment.

14 Nov 2024

Overtreatment of older men with prostate cancer raises concerns

Increasing percentages of some older U.S. men with intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate cancers are undergoing treatments that carry risks of side effects that can significantly reduce the quality of life without extending life, according to a new study led by Cedars-Sinai.

11 Nov 2024

Study highlights long-term risks of prostate cancer treatment

The risks of adverse effects and complications from treatment for prostate cancer are substantial and continue for years after treatment ends.

7 Nov 2024

UCLA Health researchers showcase advances in radiation oncology at ASTRO

UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and physicians who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies will present data on the latest radiation oncology research and clinical trial results at the 66th annual American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) meeting in Washington D.C., Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

27 Sep 2024

Yoga and stretching offer relief for urinary incontinence in older women

Older women struggling with urinary incontinence can benefit from regular, low-impact exercise, with yoga as well as stretching and strengthening showing benefits in a new study published Aug. 27 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

6 Sep 2024

Multimodal approaches enhance detection of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

A recent case report published in Cyborg Bionic Systems details the diagnosis of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) using multimodality diagnostic approaches, highlighting significant advancements in medical diagnostics and patient care.

29 Aug 2024

PCORI announces $165 million in new funding for comparative clinical effectiveness research

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) today announced the approval of funding awards totaling more than $165 million for new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER), as well as research to improve methods and strengthen the science of engagement in patient-centered CER.

13 Aug 2024

Menopause myths: Separating fact from fiction

Many women approach menopause with anxiety about the future. You've probably heard your grandmother, mother, or aunts lament about menopause, aka "the change," as a stressful time full of hot flashes, weight gain, and plummeting sex drive.

6 Aug 2024

Overactive bladder prevalence in US men spikes by 28% over 15 years, study reveals

Researchers found that the prevalence of overactive bladder among US men increased significantly from 11.3% in 2005 to 14.5% in 2020, particularly affecting older men, non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and those who are overweight or obese.

16 Jul 2024