5 Types of Urinary Incontinence
Did you know that there is more than one type of urinary incontinence? It’s true — there are five distinct types of incontinence that you can have, and each one has different underlying causes and accompanying treatments. If you have been suffering from bladder leakage lately, here’s a quick overview of the five types of incontinence:
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Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is one of the most common types of incontinence, and it can happen to anyone. Stress incontinence is bladder leakage that occurs when physical stress is put on the bladder via activities such as jumping, running, coughing, laughing, and lifting heavy objects. Stress incontinence usually happens when the pelvic muscles are already weakened from childbirth, age, injury, or another factor. The additional physical strain of the activity then overwhelms the muscles and results in bladder leakage. (So, if you have postpartum incontinence, it’s probably due to stress incontinence.) Usually, only a small amount of urine leaks out, and the condition can often be managed with bladder leakage pads. However, if it happens very frequently, or you are voiding a large quantity of urine, then you should definitely see a doctor.
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Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence involves getting the overwhelming urge to urinate — even if your bladder isn’t actually full — usually followed by the involuntary loss of urine before you can reach the bathroom. This condition is commonly referred to as urge incontinence or reflex incontinence and can have a huge impact on your daily life. The cause of urge incontinence is not completely understood, and it’s more common in post-menopausal women than in any other group. Sometimes, the urge can also be triggered by an underlying cause, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your doctor will work with you to determine if your overactive bladder is being caused by something else or if the incontinence is the main issue.
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Overflow Incontinence
Sometimes you might experience a frequent or constant dribble of urine leakage, often without the need to go. This type of overflow incontinence is seen more often in men when an enlarged prostate partially blocks the urethra; however, it’s also found in other people as well. Overflow incontinence may also occur when the bladder muscle becomes underactive (the opposite of overactive) and thus doesn’t trigger an urge to urinate even when the bladder is full. This lack of engagement can be caused by certain medications, nerve damage, or simply age-related changes.
Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence occurs when your urinary tract is functioning fine, but other factors prevent you from making it to the bathroom in time. These factors, such as severe arthritis, may be physical, making it impossible to walk to the bathroom and undress before your bladder voids itself. These factors may also be mental, such as when dementia or medication makes you unaware that you need to use the bathroom. Treating functional incontinence involves addressing the factors that are preventing you from using the restroom in a timely fashion.
Mixed Incontinence
Sometimes, your incontinence is caused by a combination of factors — aka mixed incontinence. The most common pair is stress incontinence and urge incontinence, but other combinations are possible. Your doctor will work with you to address all the underlying causes of your incontinence for the most effective treatment possible.
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If urinary incontinence is impacting your quality of life, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. While incontinence can be a side effect of menopause and aging, it’s not inevitable, and you don’t have to just live with it. Since the treatments are different depending on what type of incontinence you have, it’s really important to get a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will help you determine what type(s) of incontinence you are dealing with and create an appropriate treatment plan that will address all the underlying causes.
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While there are many effective treatments available for incontinence, they do take time to work. In the meantime, wearing incontinence products for women can help you stay comfortable and dry while you wait for the treatments to take effect. At Sofia and Grace, we carry a wide range of incontinence products for all kinds of bladder leakage and ship them straight to your door in discreet packaging. U.S. orders over $40 ship free, so don’t hesitate to stock up!