Urinary Incontinence Summary Urinary incontinence (UI) is loss of bladder control. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. It can happen to anyone, but it becomes more common with age. Women experience UI twice as often as men. Most bladder control problems happen when muscles are too weak or too active. If the muscles that keep your bladder closed are weak, you may have accidents when you sneeze, laugh or lift a heavy object. This is stress incontinence. If bladder muscles become too active, you may feel a strong urge to go to the bathroom when you have little urine in your bladder. This is urge incontinence or overactive bladder. There are other causes of incontinence, such as prostate problems and nerve damage. Treatment depends on the type of problem you have and what best fits your lifestyle. It may include simple exercises, medicines, special devices or procedures prescribed by your doctor, or surgery. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Videos and Tutorials Advanced Procedures in Male Incontinence: The Male Sling OR-Live Innovative Incontinence Surgery: The Male Sling OR-Live Simultaneous Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (IPP) and Male Sling Placement: Aiding in a Faster Return to Patient Quality-of-Life OR-Live Array Bladder and urethral repair – slideshow Bladder function – neurological control External incontinence devices Indwelling catheter care Inflatable artificial sphincter Inflatable artificial sphincter – slideshow Kegel exercises – self-care Self catheterization – female Self catheterization – male Stress incontinence Suprapubic catheter care Urge incontinence Urinary catheters Urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence – collagen implants Urinary incontinence – retropubic suspension Urinary incontinence – tension-free vaginal tape Urinary incontinence – vaginal sling procedures Urinary incontinence products Urinary incontinence products – self-care Urinary incontinence surgery – female – discharge Urine drainage bags When you have urinary incontinence Women Bladder Control Problems in Women: Lifestyle Strategies for Relief Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Cystocele Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Kegel Exercise Tips National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Urinary Incontinence Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Urinary Incontinence in Women National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Urinary Incontinence Treatments for Women (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Vaginal Pessary American Academy of Family Physicians What I Need to Know about Bladder Control for Women National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Treatments and Therapies Bladder Control Problems: Medications for Treating Urinary Incontinence Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Non-Surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence: A Review of the Research for Women Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Nonsurgical Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Clinical Practice Guideline American College of Physicians Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Taking Control: Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence in Women Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Urinary Incontinence Surgery: When Other Treatments Aren’t Enough Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Bladder, Overactive National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Incontinence National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Incontinence, Stress National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Daily Bladder Diary National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Imaging of the Urinary Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Urodynamic Testing National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Find an Expert Directory of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Organizations National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Find a Nurse in Your Area Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society Find a Urologist Urology Care Foundation National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Seniors Eldercare at Home: Incontinence AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Urinary Incontinence AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Urinary Incontinence National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Incontinent? You’re Not Alone Men Kegel Exercises for Men: Understand the Benefits Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Urinary Incontinence in Men National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Living With Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes: Improving Urinary Urgency, Frequency and Urge Incontinence American Urogynecologic Society Urinary Incontinence: Bladder Training American Academy of Family Physicians Specifics Nerve Disease and Bladder Control National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Stress Incontinence Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Journal Articles Urinary Incontinence Encyclopedia Skin care and incontinence Urinary catheters – what to ask your doctor Urinary incontinence – what to ask your doctor Start Here Urinary Incontinence National Institute on Aging Urinary Incontinence American Academy of Family Physicians Urinary Incontinence Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Urinary Incontinence Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Urinary Tract Health National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Health Check Tools Urinary Incontinence DSHI Systems Children Urinary Incontinence in Children National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Reference Desk Urinary Tract and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
