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

Researchers investigate the effect of sulfur water baths on rheological blood properties

Researchers evaluated the health benefits of sulfur balneotherapy (sulfur baths) on the rheological properties of the blood of osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

19 May 2023

Top urologists share their insights and practical tips at "Urology on the Beach"

Desai Sethi Urology Institute brings renowned thought leaders to Miami Beach. From urologic cancers to female urology to male infertility to kidney stones and sexual health, top urologists from throughout the nation shared their insights and practical tips at "Urology on the Beach," a conference hosted January 13-15 by the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

27 Jan 2023

Consumption of artificially sweetened beverages not linked to woman's risk of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects nearly 20% of women aged older than 50 years. Many factors can influence a woman's risk of urinary incontinence.

15 Dec 2022

Aging influences the diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks in patients over age 75

For people ages 75 and older, age-related changes in general health and in the heart and blood vessels require consideration and likely modifications in how heart attacks and heart disease are treated, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association's flagship, peer-reviewed journal Circulation.

12 Dec 2022

Bariatric surgical procedures can lead to enduring improvements in urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common complaint among adults with severe obesity. The majority of adults with urinary incontinence who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common types of weight loss surgery, can reasonably expect enduring improvements in urinary incontinence, according to a new study published today in JAMA Network Open.

9 Dec 2022

Vaginal birth after previous cesarean section linked with higher risk of pelvic floor surgery

Vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section is associated with an increased risk of pelvic floor surgery compared with planning another cesarean, according to research publishing November 22nd in the open access journal PLOS Medicine.

23 Nov 2022

Regular marijuana use may increase the risk of overactive bladder

Regular users of marijuana were at a greater risk of developing and suffering from severe overactive bladder disorder.

27 Sep 2022

How does SARS-CoV-2 affect the male genitourinary system?

In a recent paper published in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology, researchers reviewed existing data on the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections on the male genitourinary (GU) tract.

7 Sep 2022

How does COVID-19 affect sexual and bladder functions in men?

Researchers discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the urogenital health of males.

1 Aug 2022

Study shows the efficacy of Yoga of Immortals mobile app for urinary incontinence

People with loss of urinary control who used the Yoga of Immortals mobile app – a globally used app that combines specific yogic postures in the Sanatan tradition with breathing exercises, sound therapy and meditation – found significant improvement in the frequency and severity of urine leaks at four weeks of practice, according to a Rutgers study.

26 Jul 2022

Henry Ford Health offers a non-surgical treatment option for localized prostate cancer

Henry Ford Health is the first in Michigan to offer Robotic High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. This non-surgical treatment option spares surrounding healthy tissue, while allowing for a quicker treatment time and recovery for the patient.

10 May 2022

Obesity progression may contribute to the economic burden of the disease, studies suggest

Obesity is known to approximately double healthcare costs in the US compared to those with a healthy weight.

2 May 2022

Lower urinary tract symptoms associated with mortality risk in older men

For men in their fifties and older, moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as incontinence and frequent nighttime urination (nocturia) are associated with an increased risk of death during long-term follow-up, suggests a Finnish study in The Journal of Urology, an Official Journal of the American Urological Association.

27 Apr 2022

Survey highlights mounting cases of cannabis poisoning among pets

A survey of veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada highlights mounting cases of cannabis poisoning among pets and sheds new light on symptoms, treatments, and outcomes.

20 Apr 2022

Medicare Advantage plans send pals to seniors’ homes for companionship — and profits

Widowed and usually living alone, Gloria Bailey walks with a cane after two knee replacement surgeries and needs help with housekeeping.

15 Mar 2022

Challenges in safely deprescribing common anticholinergic drugs

Medications with anticholinergic properties have been consistently associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes for older adults including cognitive impairment, yet these drugs continue to be commonly prescribed for depression, urinary incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome and Parkinson's disease.

11 Feb 2022

How does SARS-CoV-2 infection impact female fertility?

In a recent study published in the journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a team of researchers reviewed published literature that assessed the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on female reproductive health.

19 Jan 2022

Postmenopausal women more likely to have overactive bladder syndrome, study says

If you're feeling more sudden urges to run to the bathroom as you age, you're not alone. A new study suggests postmenopausal women aged 45 to 54 years are more likely to have overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome.

15 Dec 2021