How To Help Urinary Incontinence Symptoms

Many American men and women suffer from urinary incontinence, and many people suffer from a leaky bladder without telling anyone.

Learn what causes urinary incontinence and how to relieve bladder incontinence symptoms from Franciscan Health specialists who focus on the treatment of incontinence and other pelvic floor problems.

Key Takeaways: Urinary Incontinence 

• Urinary incontinence is common but not a normal part of aging.
• Most bladder leakage can improve with treatment.
• Pelvic floor therapy helps many patients avoid surgery.
• Coffee, alcohol and other bladder irritants may worsen symptoms.
• See a provider if bladder leaks affect your daily life.

Why Am I Leaking Urine?

Many reasons can cause you to leak urine involuntarily, a condition known as urinary incontinence.

"There are some conditions where people will develop leaking of urine and that of itself can be the problem," said Brent Suozzi, MD, an urogynecologist and independent physician who chooses to practice with Franciscan Health. "Other conditions, it may be a sign that there's something else going on, like an infection." 

Causes of incontinence include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Pregnancy
• Weakened pelvic floor muscles due to injury or injury
• Hormonal changes throughout the life cycle
• Poor diet or liquid intake
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Excessive body weight
• Enlarged prostate
• Vaginal infection or irritation
• Constipation.
• Surgery or radiation to the pelvic floor area
• Some medicines can cause bladder control problems that last a short time.

When bladder incontinence symptoms last longer, it may be due to:

• Weak bladder muscles
• Overactive bladder muscles
• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease
• Diseases such as arthritis that may make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time
• Pelvic organ prolapse

Bladder control problems are among common issues related to problems in what's called the pelvic floor, the network of muscles and ligaments around the pelvis. 

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. It is the involuntary loss of urine or bladder control. 

There are two main types of urinary incontinence — urgency incontinence and stress incontinence — and a key symptom of incontinence is leaking urine.

• Urgency incontinence involves an overactive bladder. Sufferers tend to go more than eight times a day, and often wake at night to relieve themselves.
• Stress urinary incontinence is leakage caused by sneezing or laughing. The muscles that hold in your urine grow so weak they can't handle any added pressure.

According to the Urology Care Foundation, urinary incontinence is not a disease. Incontinence is a symptom of many conditions. The cause of incontinence can differ for men and women, but it is not hereditary and is not a normal part of aging. 

What Are Signs of Incontinence?

Signs of urinary incontinence include:

• Bladder leaks during everyday activities, such as lifting, bending, coughing, or exercising
• Leaking urine without any warning or urge
• Being unable to reach a toilet in time
• Wetting your bed during sleep
• Leaking urine during sexual activity

Urinary incontinence symptoms can impact a person's quality of life.

Can Men Have Urinary Incontinence?

While urinary incontinence affects twice as many women as men, men can have urinary incontinence, too. Nearly 15 percent of adult men will experience loss of bladder control at some point in their lifetime.

Most incontinence in men is related to the prostate gland. Male incontinence may be caused by:

• Blockage from an enlarged prostate in men
• Prostatitis
• Injury, or damage to nerves or muscles from surgery
• An enlarged prostate gland

How Can I Treat Urinary Incontinence?

Many patients of all ages would rather suffer in silence than discuss symptoms of incontinence with their doctors. If you have had bladder control issues for at least three months, consider seeking treatment for urinary incontinence.

For many people, pelvic flood physical therapy can get bladder control problems under control.

Sarah Randolph-Kaminski, PT, DHSc, coordinator of pelvic health services at Franciscan Health, said approximately 80 percent of incontinence problems are due to a lack of muscle support, which can be corrected with pelvic floor exercises.

"Pelvic floor therapy is NOT just doing Kegels exercises," said Randolph-Kaminski. “While pelvic floor strengthening exercises may play a role in improving incontinence, when they are performed incorrectly or in the presence of pelvic pain, patients may notice no improvement or actually a worsening of symptoms. That's why it is imperative to be evaluated and trained by a physical therapist who specializes in treating pelvic floor disorders.”

Beyond exercises, people living with urinary incontinence may benefit from behavior changes such as not drinking alcohol, coffee, tea and soda, which can increase incontinence symptoms.

Pelvic health physical therapists at Franciscan Health are specially trained to assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions with a specific focus on the functions of your core stabilizers and your pelvic floor muscles. Your therapist will:

• Examine the strength, endurance and mobility of your pelvic floor muscles as well as your hip and lower back muscles
• Evaluate your fluid and dietary intake to determine the need for behavioral and lifestyle changes
• Design an exercise program specific to your areas of weakness and dysfunction
• Use biofeedback, ultrasound or electrical stimulation to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, if needed
• Be available to answer questions and provide support.

Can Younger Women Have Incontinence?

Contrary to popular belief, physical therapy for incontinence isn’t just for older or postmenopausal women. Primary care physicians should consider screening high school and college female athletes for urinary incontinence as well as younger women throughout their childbearing years.

"The good news is there are many treatment options," Dr. Suozzi said. "Most patients do well with non-surgical options."

Pelvic floor therapy sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes, and insurance coverage is verified before treatment is initiated.

"After four to six sessions, patients should expect to see a 50 percent reduction in leakage," said Randolph-Kaminski.

Learn more about pelvic health rehabilitation at Franciscan Health or talk with your physician.

Frequently Asked Questions: Urinary Incontinence

How common is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence affects nearly 60 percent of adult women and 15 percent of adult men in their lifetime.

How much urine do you have to lose for urinary incontinence?

The loss of a few drops or a larger amount of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting objects may be a sign of urinary incontinence.

How long does physical therapy for incontinence take?

In many cases, just a few pelvic floor physical therapy visits can reduce or eliminate urinary leakage and lead to an improved quality of life.