M.D. Urinary incontinence is a very common and commonly-treatable disorder affecting ten million men, women, and children in the United States every year. This disorder is characterized by the unwanted leakage of urine. Individuals with this disorder may suffer the psychosocial consequences of urinary incontinence, including poor self-esteem and social withdrawal. Other consequences include skin diseases and urinary tract infections.
Urinary incontinence has a variety of causes.
In addition, diseases affecting the bladder, such as urinary tract infection, cancer, and other inflammatory diseases, can cause problems with bladder control as well. Treatment options for incontinence are many. The choice of treatment for incontinence is based upon the individual's cause of incontinence, as well as the severity. Although pads are useful initially to control incontinence, means to cure incontinence are available which may make pads unnecessary. Treatment options include medications, behavioral therapy, and surgical treatments.