Stress incontinence can be caused by damage to parts of the lower urinary tract that control the release of urine. Here, loss of urine is caused by a bloated bladder that fills up and leaks due to a block in the normal urine-release mechanism. This block may stem from a neurological condition that inhibits the relaxation of the bladder-outlet opening, or from an enlarged prostate or other anatomical problem. Any of the above causes of incontinence can be made worse by medical conditions that affect how fast we can get to the bathroom. People with arthritis, muscle weakness, strokes or other impairments may not be able to make it to the bathroom on time because of their restricted mobility.
Medications can also cause or worsen incontinence.
Drugs that cause confusion or sedation may result in bladder accidents because of impaired mobility or awareness. Medications that increase the volume of urine, such as diuretics, can cause incontinence by rapidly filling the bladder. Still other medications disturb the ability of the bladder wall to contract normally, or on the ability of the bladder outlet to open and close normally, also leading to incontinence. Other medical conditions that can cause urinary incontinence include urinary infection and estrogen deficiency. To determine which of these many factors is at the root of the problem, a physician should examine a patient's abdomen, genital region and rectum .