Stress urinary incontinence is one of the most common bladder control problems. It can be embarrassing and interfere with a person’s ability to function in daily life. Although stress urinary incontinence can happen to anyone, it is more common among older adults, especially women. Men are often affected as well.

What Is Stress Urinary Incontinence?

The loss of bladder control can be emotionally distressing, but stress urinary incontinence has nothing to do with emotion. The word “stress” in this condition refers to any physical exertion that increases abdominal strain and puts pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. As the bladder fills with urine, the pressure inside the bladder becomes greater than the strength of the urethra to stay closed, causing the urine to leak uncontrollably. This often occurs because the muscle that prevents leakage, called the sphincter, weakens and cannot prevent urine flow as it should. A weakened sphincter may occur because of pregnancy, childbirth, aging or prior pelvic surgery. Being overweight can also cause the muscles that support the urethra to weaken. Many women do not experience symptoms until after menopause.

In general, the most common signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence in general can include:

• Bladder leakage during everyday activities, such as lifting, bending, coughing or exercising.
• Being unable to hold in urine after feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate.
• Leaking urine without knowing it.
• Being unable to reach the toilet in time.
• Wetting your bed during sleep.
• Leaking during sexual activity.

Bladder leakage problems can affect the quality of life and lead to other health complications. If you have symptoms, seek professional care for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence causes in women and men, include:

• Aging
• Bladder infection
• Constipation
• Congenital disorders
• Blocked lower urinary tract
• Chronic cough
• Diabetes
• Overweight or obesity
• Genitourinary fistulas
• Prostate problems
• Lifestyle factors, such as eating foods that cause constipation, drinking alcohol or caffeinated or carbonated beverages, certain medicines, physical inactivity and smoking

Some health problems like urinary tract infections and constipation can temporarily cause incontinence.

What Is Bladder Leakage a Sign Of?

For some people, bladder control problems may signal a serious health problem, including cystitis (bladder inflammation) or even bladder cancer. Seek medical care right away if you:

• Have trouble passing urine or emptying your bladder, which is a sign of urinary retention.
• Urinate too often (eight or more bathroom visits a day).
• See blood in your urine, called hematuria.
• Have bladder infection symptoms, including painful urination.

How To Treat Urinary Incontinence?

Treatment depends on the type of urinary incontinence a person has. Some of the nonsurgical urinary incontinence treatments to help reduce accidental leaks are:

• Drink the right amount of liquid at the right time. The amount of urine a person should make varies from one person to another. Your healthcare provider can recommend how much and when to drink based on your health, activities and local climate. Limiting the intake of foods and drinks like chocolate, tea, coffee, carbonated beverages and alcohol may help reduce leaks.
• Be physically active. Walking, swimming, biking and dancing are physical activities you can do regularly to improve your overall health.
• Keep a healthy weight. Accidental leakage is more likely as your body mass index increases. Studies suggest that losing weight and avoiding weight gain can reduce leaks.
• Avoid constipation. Drinking more liquids and including fiber in your diet can help avoid constipation, which can worsen a urinary tract problem and lead to urinary incontinence.
• Stop smoking. People who smoke can benefit from quitting the bad habit in many ways. Smoking can likely lead to stress urinary incontinence because it causes long-lasting coughing and, in some cases, bladder cancer.
• Do pelvic floor muscle exercises. Performing Kegel exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that control urine flow and reduce bladder leakage for both men and women. A trained physical therapist in pelvic floor therapy can help show how to integrate these exercises during activities, such as riding in a car or sitting at a desk.

There are surgical options to decrease or prevent urine leakage in both men and women. Sling surgery is the most common procedure to treat stress urinary incontinence in women. It involves inserting a strip of material between the vagina and urethra to support the urethra. The materials could be a synthetic mesh or a biological graft that can support the urethra and aid in continence. In sling surgery for men, the mesh is placed under the urethra to help lift and support the sphincter and urethra muscles. Stress incontinence in men can also be treated by implanting an artificial urinary sphincter to help keep the urethra closed to prevent leaks.