Urinary incontinence is something many women experience, yet it's rarely talked about. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, making certain everyday situations more difficult. But did you know that there are different types of urinary incontinence? To better understand the topic, it’s important to differentiate between them. The most common types are urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, and stress incontinence. In this blog, we’ll help you understand the differences so you can get a better idea of which type you might be experiencing.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine, which can occur at any time—often while laughing, coughing, or exerting oneself. It’s a sensitive topic, but it affects many women, particularly after pregnancy or during menopause. Incontinence can take different forms—urge, mixed, and stress incontinence—and it can seriously impact daily life.
Are You Familiar With Urge Incontinence?
Urge incontinence is a sudden, intense need to urinate, often accompanied by involuntary leakage. For those who experience it, it can feel like overwhelming pressure, forcing them to rush to the bathroom. This urgency can happen without warning, making it difficult to manage day to day.
Symptoms of Urge Incontinence
- Frequent urgency: A strong, sudden need to urinate, often without warning.
- Unintentional leaks: Leakage may occur before reaching the toilet.
- Constant full-bladder sensation: Some feel their bladder is always full, even after urinating.
Causes of Urge Incontinence
- Overactive bladder: Involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, often with no clear cause.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Can irritate the bladder, causing a frequent urge to urinate.
- Neurological conditions: Conditions like multiple sclerosis or stroke can disrupt signals between the brain and bladder.
How to Treat Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence can be frustrating, but don’t worry—there are treatment options:
- Medications: Anticholinergics and beta-3 agonists help relax the bladder, reducing urges and leaks.
- Behavioral therapies: Bladder retraining teaches you to urinate at set intervals. It might feel unusual at first, but over time it helps improve bladder control.
- Electrostimulation: Gentle electrical currents help regulate bladder contractions, supporting better muscle function.
Combining these options can make a big difference. Speak with a healthcare professional to find the right solution for you.
Stress Incontinence: When Everyday Moments Become Stressful
Stress incontinence involves urine leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercising. It’s especially common in women after pregnancy or during menopause.
Symptoms of Stress Incontinence
- Leaks during exertion: Leakage typically occurs during physical activity.
- No urgency: Unlike urge incontinence, there’s usually no sudden need to urinate.
- Varied frequency: Leaks may be occasional or frequent, depending on the intensity of movement.
Causes of Stress Incontinence
- Weakened pelvic floor muscles: Often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, or aging.
- Hormonal changes: Especially during menopause, hormone fluctuations can affect muscle tone.
- Pelvic surgeries: Some procedures can weaken support for the bladder and urethra.
How to Manage Stress Incontinence
Here are a few effective approaches:
- Kegel exercises: Strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to improve control.
- Lifestyle changes: Maintain a healthy weight, avoid bladder irritants, and stay active.
- Surgery: In some cases, procedures may be needed to correct anatomical issues.
- Pessaries: A reusable device inserted into the vagina to support the urethra during physical activities, helping prevent leaks.
Mixed Urinary Incontinence: What You Need to Know
Mixed urinary incontinence combines symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. It can significantly affect quality of life and often requires a combination of treatments.
Symptoms of Mixed Incontinence
- Leaks during physical exertion: Such as laughing, sneezing, or lifting.
- Sudden urges: A sudden need to urinate that’s hard to control.
- Frequent urination: A feeling of needing to urinate more often, even with low fluid intake.
Causes of Mixed Incontinence
- Pelvic floor weakness: Often due to pregnancy, childbirth, or surgeries.
- Overactive bladder: Can be triggered by UTIs, neurological disorders, or hormonal shifts.
- Obesity: Extra weight adds pressure to the bladder.
- Smoking: Can weaken pelvic muscles and cause chronic coughing, which contributes to leakage.
- Medical conditions: Diabetes or neurological disorders can interfere with bladder function.
How to Treat Mixed Incontinence
Treatment usually involves a combination of methods:
- Pelvic floor exercises: Like Kegels, to strengthen muscle support.
- Lifestyle changes: Losing weight and avoiding caffeine or alcohol can help.
- Medical devices or surgery: In more severe cases, these may be needed.
The best approach is to consult a healthcare professional to find the right combination of solutions for your specific needs.
Discover Efemia – A Pessary for Stress Incontinence
Meet Efemia, a reusable bladder support designed to prevent leaks during physical activity. It gives women the freedom to live an active life without the fear of unexpected leakage.
Whether you're running, laughing, or working out, Efemia provides support by applying gentle pressure to the urethra. Easy to insert and comfortable to wear for up to 16 hours a day, it’s made from soft silicone that fits discreetly inside the vagina. You might even forget it’s there!
Other, Lesser-Known Types of Incontinence
In addition to urge, stress, and mixed incontinence, there are other types worth knowing about:
Functional Incontinence
This occurs when someone has normal bladder control but cannot reach the toilet in time due to physical or cognitive limitations.
Causes: Limited mobility, cognitive disorders, or post-surgery recovery.
Unconscious Incontinence
Also called involuntary incontinence, it involves leaking urine without being aware or feeling the urge.
Causes: Neurological conditions (like MS or stroke), or pelvic floor weakness due to aging or childbirth.
Overflow Incontinence
More common in men, overflow incontinence happens when the bladder becomes overly full and leaks. It may be hard to start urinating and there’s a feeling of constant pressure.
Causes: Urinary retention from prostate issues, nerve damage, or medications that block urine flow.
Quick FAQ
What’s the difference between urge and stress incontinence?
Urge incontinence is caused by a sudden, intense need to urinate, while stress incontinence occurs during physical exertion when abdominal pressure increases.
Are there non-surgical options for treating mixed incontinence?
Yes. Options include pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle changes, and bladder supports for additional support.
Is mixed urinary incontinence common in women?
Yes. It’s especially common after pregnancy or menopause, though men can experience it too.
Now You Know the Difference!
Understanding the various types of incontinence is the first step toward taking control of your health and well-being. With the right knowledge, support, and treatment, you can improve your quality of life and feel confident again.