Some people suffer in silence, cutting out activities they love for fear of an accident. They may feel a loss of self-esteem or become isolated and depressed. And it should be treated as a medical problem like any other. Yes, there are three main types. If you've noticed that you're leaking a little urine or have to go too frequently, these descriptions may help you identify the kind of incontinence you have.
Stress incontinence is the most common form affecting women.
It occurs when there's a sudden rise in pressure within the abdomen. This may happens when you cough, laugh, sneeze, lift, exercise, or do anything else that puts a strain on the bladder. It generally results from pelvic-floor muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy and vaginal delivery. Diabetes, frequent urinary-tract infections, changes in hormone production, and excess body fat may also contribute to stress incontinence. Urge incontinence occurs when the urge to urinate is so strong and comes on so suddenly that there's often no time to make it to the toilet.