With OAB, your brain tells your bladder to empty - even when it isn't full. Some people have both SUI and OAB and this is known as mixed incontinence. They may not even be able to get a good night's sleep. They may fear they will suddenly have to urinate when they aren't near a bathroom. OAB affects more than 30% of men and 40% of women in the U.S. It is also called 'urgency' incontinence. OAB is another common type of urinary incontinence. To learn more about SUI risk factors, diagnosis and treatments visit our SUI article page. Lifestyle changes, vaginal and urethral devices, pads, and even surgery are other ways to manage SUI. Ways to manage SUI include 'Kegel' exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. There are no FDA approved medicines to treat SUI yet, but there are things you can do.

The sphincters open up when the bladder contracts.ĭiagram of the Nervous System and Bladder Enlarge This forces the urine out through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the body. Once you are ready to urinate, the brain sends a signal to the bladder. When the sphincter muscles keep the urethra closed, urine doesn't leak. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. The sphincter muscles are closed around the urethra. Normally, the smooth muscle of the bladder is relaxed. The muscles in the lower part of the pelvis hold the bladder in place. The bladder stores urine until you are ready to empty it. The brain and the bladder control urinary function. Losing weight can improve bladder function and lessen urinary incontinence symptoms. Obesity increases the risk of urinary incontinence. Diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and smoking are also linked. Statistics show that poor overall health also increases risk.

Some medications are linked to urinary incontinence and some medicines make it worse. Men who have prostate problems are also at increased risk. Taking estrogen, however, has not been shown to help urinary incontinence. This may be due to the drop in estrogen (the female sex hormone). Women after menopause (whose periods have stopped) may develop urinary incontinence. Women who develop urinary incontinence while pregnant are more likely to have it afterward. This is true for cesarean section (c-section) and vaginal delivery. The risk increases with the number of children. Women who have had a baby have higher rates of urinary incontinence. Pregnancy, delivery, and number of children increase the risk in women. For example, aging is linked to urinary incontinence. Studies show that many things increase risk. About 33 million have overactive bladder (also known as OAB) representing symptoms of urgency, frequency and with or without urge incontinence. Key StatisticsĪ quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. Many people think urinary incontinence is just part of getting older. Urinary incontinence can keep people from enjoying life. They don't want to be too far from a toilet. Many people who have urinary incontinence are afraid to do normal daily activities. It can affect emotional, psychological and social life. Urinary incontinence is not just a medical problem. They may be embarrassed, or they may think nothing can be done. That's because many people do not tell anyone about their symptoms. Many American men and women suffer from urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is leaking of urine that you can't control.

Treatments for overflow incontinence