What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence means losing control over your bladder, leading to the unintentional leakage of urine. It is more common than most people think and affects both men and women of all ages—though it becomes more frequent with age, pregnancy, childbirth, prostate problems, or certain medical conditions.

There are several types of urinary incontinence, and each has different causes:

Stress incontinence happens when pressure on the bladder—like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting—causes urine to leak. This is common in women after childbirth or menopause.

Urge incontinence, also called overactive bladder, causes a sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by leakage. You may not make it to the toilet in time. It can happen during the day or night.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty completely, leading to frequent or constant dribbling. This is more common in men with enlarged prostates or people with nerve damage.

Functional incontinence happens when physical or mental conditions—like arthritis or dementia—make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time.

Mixed incontinence is when someone has symptoms of more than one type, often both stress and urge incontinence.

Although many people feel embarrassed, urinary incontinence is a medical issue, not a personal failure. It may be temporary or chronic, and treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause.

Doctors diagnose incontinence through medical history, physical exam, urine tests, and sometimes imaging or bladder function tests. You may be asked to keep a bladder diary to track your symptoms.

Treatment options include pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), bladder training, diet changes, medications, or devices like pessaries for women. In some cases, surgery may be needed. A urologist or urogynecologist can help tailor the right plan for you.

Incontinence may feel isolating, but you are not alone—and help is available. With proper care, most people can manage or greatly improve their symptoms.