A lot of us have been there. Away from a restroom with a sudden urge to urinate and the inability to hold it. Or not being able to stay dry after a sneezing or coughing fit or while exercising. The health concern of urinary incontinence is a serious one—one that seems to worsen with age. Although it’s very common, it’s important to know that there is something that can be done to help the condition and help you stay dry throughout the day.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence just means that you leak urine on accident. Urinary incontinence is typically caused when the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work like they’re supposed to. Since your bladder is where your urine is stored prior to urination, having properly functioning muscles is important. Incontinence typically occurs when the muscles relax at an inopportune time, meaning outside of using the restroom.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

There are several different causes of urinary incontinence, some as a temporary condition, others as a more persistent one. Many people experience temporary incontinence while suffering from urinary tract infections or constipation. Incontinence from constipation may be a result of pressure on your nerves due to the compacted stool in your rectum that pushes on your bladder muscles.

The other form of urinary incontinence, which is persistent, can be caused by a number of physical changes. Many women experience incontinence after pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or hysterectomy. Men might experience it as a result of an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Both men and women may see urinary incontinence accompanied by aging, having an obstruction along the urinary tract, or having certain neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain tumor, or spinal injury.  

What Can I Do About Urinary Incontinence?

Thankfully urinary incontinence doesn’t always indicate a permanent or serious condition. At Mississippi Urology Clinic, we see patients with all manner of urinary incontinence struggles, whether they come as a result of stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or overflow incontinence. Depending on your individual health and case, we can offer several different diagnostic tests and treatments to help you regain your comfort and ability to hold your urine better. In the meantime, there are also many absorbent undergarment products available to both men and women that help you to feel dry even if you are dealing with incontinence. 

If you have been experiencing urinary incontinence for even a short term, it’s time to make an appointment to see one of our doctors so we can help you regain your comfort and freedom from this common condition.