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The Reasons for Female Incontinence

According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the reason for incontinence is problems with the muscles and nerves that help to hold or release urine.

  1. Stress Urinary Incontinence

    • The most common type of incontinence is stress urinary incontinence, which occurs with activity, including actions such as coughing, sneezing and laughing. This type of incontinence happens when the pelvic floor muscles, vagina and ligaments that support the bladder become weak.

    Urinary Urge Incontinence

    • The second type of incontinence, urinary urge incontinence, is the result of an overactive bladder muscle that causes a strong urge to urinate.

    Weak Muscles

    • If the muscles and structures supporting the bladder become weak, the muscles that close the urethra cannot do their job, causing urine leaks during moments of physical stress. According to the University of Washington School of Medicine Department of Urology, the cause of weak muscles is not always known, but some causes include pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, obesity, chronic coughs and repeated lifting of heavy objects.

    Overactive Bladder Contractions

    • According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate bladder contractions. However, why the contractions become overactive is unknown.

    Considerations

    • Stress incontinence can become worse during the week before your menstrual period and as menopause approaches because lower estrogen levels can lower muscle tone around the urethra, increasing chances of leakage.

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