Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which you lose control of your bladder. For some people, this problem can be a minor inconvenience, but for others it's a serious and debilitating issue.

Causes

• The causes of urinary incontinence include something as simple as drinking too much water or taking certain medications. Drinking beverages that are diuretics, such as alcohol and caffeinated drinks, can increase your urge to urinate.

  Sometimes, bladder irritation or other health problems are to blame, such as interstitial cystitis. Urinary tract infections can cause you to have strong urges to urinate that sometimes can't be controlled. Childbirth, which can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, is another common cause of incontinence. Menopause can cause incontinence as well.

  Other causes include prostatitis, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, a urinary obstruction, an enlarged prostate and constipation.

Urgency

• One of the first symptoms of urinary incontinence is a sudden and serious urge to go to the bathroom. You will feel as if you have to urinate immediately, or you might involuntarily expel urine. You will need to go to the bathroom frequently, and you may even have to wake up in the middle of the night to empty your bladder.

Exertion

• Another symptom of incontinence is suddenly losing urine when your body is under stress or strain. This can be caused by lifting something, exercising, coughing, laughing or sneezing. Physical stress can force out urine when the bladder muscles are weak.

Strong Urges

• Finding that you can't make to the bathroom in time to empty your bladder is another symptom of urinary incontinence. This can be because of a physical or psychological impairment that makes it difficult for you to get to the toilet in time. A physical or psychological impairment may even interfere with your ability to unbutton your pants in time.

Constant Leaking

• The most severe symptom of urinary incontinence is the constant leaking of urine. You might constantly dribble a small amount of urine or occasionally expel a sizable amount when not in the bathroom. This can be caused by damage from surgery, a physical deformity or a fistula.