It can be caused by weakening of the vaginal wall that supports the urethra, through which urine flows from the bladder. It also can be the result of a sphincter that isn't working properly. The vaginal wall can weaken due to pregnancies and deliveries, hormonal changes, pelvic surgery or simply aging, the incontinence specialist explained. Incontinence in women also can be associated with other areas of vaginal wall relaxation, resulting in bladder drop, known as prolapse, or bulge of the rectum through the vaginal wall. A defective sphincter caused by surgeries, injury, pelvic radiation or nerve disorders can also be at fault.
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. There is help for many victims of incontinence, said Zimmern. Treatments range from medications to biofeedback, hormone therapy, behavior modification and a variety of surgical procedures. One tool Zimmern hopes to help develop is a reliable, universal system for scoring symptoms based on how much they are disrupting a patient's life, similar to the American Urological Association's symptom questionnaire for men suffering from benign prostate enlargement.