Living With Incontinence? You’re Not Alone

Urinary incontinence – or leaking urine – affects about 1 in 6 people, and it’s especially common in women. It can range from a few drops to more frequent or unexpected leaks. While common, incontinence can still be frustrating, embarrassing, and disruptive to daily life. Many people limit social activities, exercise less, or avoid outings because they worry about leakage. The good news is that incontinence is treatable, and help is available.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence simply means losing control of your bladder. It may happen when you:

• Laugh, cough, sneeze, or exercise
• Feel a sudden, strong urge to go and can’t make it to the bathroom in time
• Wake up at night to urinate
• Leak urine while sleeping

Common Types of Incontinence

• Stress incontinence: Leaking with physical movement like coughing or lifting
• Urge incontinence: A sudden need to urinate followed by leakage
• Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urge symptoms
• Overflow incontinence: When the bladder doesn’t fully empty

Why Does Incontinence Happen?

Often, incontinence can have more than one cause, which is why treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Common causes include:

• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Pregnancy or childbirth
• Aging
• Urinary tract infections
• Certain medications, caffeine, or alcohol
• Nerve or muscle conditions

When Should You Talk to a Provider?

If bladder leakage is affecting your confidence, comfort, or quality of life, it’s worth bringing up with a healthcare professional. Talking about incontinence may feel awkward, but it’s a very common medical concern.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on your symptoms and goals. Many people improve with simple steps such as:

• Lifestyle changes
• Bladder training
• Pelvic floor exercises or physical therapy
• Support devices or medications

For some, medications help manage symptoms. For others, medications alone may not provide enough relief. Advanced therapies are available for those who need additional support, including:

• Bladder Botox® injections to help relax the bladder muscle and decrease urgency, frequency, and leakage
• Urethral bulking injections to improve urethral closure and reduce leakage during physical activity, such as coughing, laughing, or exercising
• Bladder nerve stimulation (sacral neuromodulation), which uses gentle electrical impulses to improve communication between the bladder and the nerves that control it, supporting better bladder coordination and long-term symptom relief

The Takeaway

Urinary incontinence is common, and you don’t have to live with it. Effective evaluation and treatment options are available at CRMC to help patients regain bladder control and confidence.

Learn more about incontinence care through our Urology department or call 218-546-7000 to schedule an appointment.