Incontinence Incontinence Incontinence affects millions of people. Its complications are annoying and embarrassing and can force major lifestyle changes. There are two primary types of incontinence.
Urge incontinence is urinary leakage that comes from a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate.
It is more common in the elderly, both women and men, and is tied to a degenerative process in the central nervous system affecting the bladder. Urge incontinence also can be caused by tumors or by neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis. Treatments range from medications to biofeedback, hormone therapy, behavior modification and a variety of surgical procedures. Incontinence affects 10 million to 20 million women, mostly between the ages of 40 and 60. Stress incontinence is the most common form among women under 65 and can be caused by weakening of the vaginal wall that supports the urethra.