Urge incontinence is described as sudden onsets of urgency without control to hold the urine back. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder cannot fully empty itself and women experience involuntary spilling of urine. About 30 percent of women who have had vaginal childbirth experience some form of incontinence. Factors including smoking, obesity and high caffeine intake increase a woman's chance of becoming incontinent. To ensure proper treatment for incontinence, women need to communicate with their doctors and ask for help.
Communication is always a two-way street.
Studies have shown that about 50 percent of healthcare providers do not ask women if they think they have incontinence problems. As soon as incontinence begins to interfere with a woman's life, she needs to inform her doctor. Bring questions to your doctor's attention early in your appointment. Don't wait until the doctors is on the way out the door. Provide your doctor with as much information as possible.