Often several interacting factors contribute to the condition, especially in the elderly.
Urinary incontinence results when the pressure in the bladder exceeds that of the urethra.
Uninhibited contractions of the detrusor are a frequent cause, but incontinence may also be the result of inappropriate relaxation of the urethra. The symptoms associated with overactive bladder are urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. Urge urinary incontinence is one of the most disturbing symptoms of overactive bladder and is characterized by a strong desire to void that is associated with an involuntary loss of urine. Two primary bladder abnormalities can cause overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence. The more common is detrusor instability, in which patients have involuntary detrusor contractions that are nonneuropathic or of unknown origin.