Urinary Incontinence: Is It Normal?

Recent studies show up to 78 million women in the U.S. experience some degree of urinary incontinence. That’s about 62% of the entire country’s adult female population.

Urinary incontinence may be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Although urinary incontinence isn’t dangerous, it can have a serious impact on your quality of life.

Learn more about this irritating issue and some steps you can take to overcome it.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to the inability to control your bladder. This results in the unintentional leakage of urine, often while someone is going about their daily activities. Due to its unpredictability, incontinence tends to disrupt a person’s work, sleep, exercise or social outings.

There are several subtypes of urinary incontinence, including:

  • Stress incontinence: Urine leaks specifically when pressure is put on the bladder. Pressure can occur when laughing, sneezing, coughing or lifting.
  • Urge incontinence: This subtype is distinguished by the sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate. People struggling with urge incontinence often must rush to the restroom, and may not make it in time.
  • Overflow incontinence: This subtype refers to the inability to empty your bladder completely. This results in leaking or dribbling after you’ve already gone to the restroom.
  • Total incontinence: Urine leakage is very frequent in this subtype. With total incontinence, your bladder is unable to store nearly any urine.

Signs of Urinary Incontinence

The symptoms of urinary incontinence are usually quite obvious and troubling. They include:

  • Any form of involuntary urine leakage
  • Feeling the urge to urinate more often than usual
  • Feeling a sudden, intense urge to urinate (as though you need to literally run to the restroom)
  • Being awoken in the middle of the night by the urge to urinate
  • A sensation that your bladder isn’t ever fully empty, or a lack of relief after using the restroom
  • A sensation of dampness or dribbling throughout the day.

If you experience any of these issues, know that you aren’t alone. Consult with your primary care provider or reach out to a urogynecologist directly.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

A wide range of factors can impact your bladder, leading to urinary incontinence. Most commonly, incontinence is tied to a muscular issue or infection, such as:

  • Weak pelvic floor muscles: Your pelvic floor supports all the organs in your lower torso, including the bladder and urethra. Key life events like childbirth and pregnancy put stress on a woman’s pelvic floor. Additionally, weakening pelvic floor muscles are a common part of the aging process. A urogynecologist or pelvic medicine specialist is skilled at treating and strengthening these specific muscles.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs, especially recurring ones, can increase bladder contractions, prompting the frequent urge to urinate.
  • Neurological conditions: Any neurological disorders — such as stroke, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis — can disrupt nerve signals between the brain and bladder, leading to incontinence.
  • Muscle damage from surgery: During major surgeries like a hysterectomy, the surrounding pelvic muscles are sometimes damaged, leading to a weaker bladder.

In some cases, urinary incontinence is instead tied to medicine or lifestyle factors, such as:

  • Diuretics, antidepressants and antihistamines can all impact bladder control.
  • Diet choices like excess intake of caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks or artificial sweeteners can worsen incontinence.
  • A sedentary routine can contribute to a weakened pelvic floor, leading to incontinence.

When You Should See a Doctor

Ultimately, since urinary incontinence isn’t necessarily dangerous, you should consult a doctor as soon as these symptoms bother you.

Bladder control can have a major impact on your quality of life. If you find yourself avoiding social situations, exercise or other fulfilling activities due to incontinence, there are many treatment options available.

Urinary Incontinence Treatment in El Paso

Oftentimes, women will discuss their bladder struggles with their primary care doctor first. From there, your provider will likely refer you to a urogynecologist. These physicians, also called female pelvic medicine specialists, have in-depth training to diagnose and treat dysfunctions of the pelvic floor.

Depending on your unique needs, a urogynecologist may recommend a surgical or non-surgical incontinence treatment plan. Some common options include:

  • Lifestyle changes: Your urogynecologist may recommend changing your diet to reduce caffeine or alcohol intake. They may also suggest losing weight or introducing a specific exercise routine.
  • Pelvic floor exercises/therapy: Certain exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor over time, reducing incontinence symptoms.
  • Medications: Anticholinergics, Beta-3 agonists and even botox injections can improve your bladder’s ability to store and hold urine.
  • Sling surgery: In this procedure, a pelvic surgeon places a supportive sling under the urethra to prevent leakage.
  • Medical devices: Urethral inserts and vaginal pessaries can also help strengthen your pelvic floor.

Connect with one of our experienced pelvic health physicians to determine which treatment is right for you.

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