What is Incontinence

Incontinence is any unintended loss of urine (even a few drops) or stool.

If you are suffering from incontinence, you are not alone. Roughly 1.5 million Canadians experience incontinence, including an estimated one in three women and one in seven men of all ages and lifestyles.  

Incontinence can affect your quality of life and result in feelings of anxiety or depression. It can cause you to avoid certain physical activities or social situations. If you have incontinence, please talk to your family doctor about it. Most incontinence can be cured or markedly improved without surgery or medications.

Types of Incontinence

1. Stress incontinence is the loss of urine associated with increases in pressure on the abdomen (e.g. coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, and running). It can occur as a result of weakness in the pelvic floor muscles and forgetting to use these muscles to hold the urine in.
   
   
2. Urge incontinence, or overactive bladder, is the urgent need to pass urine and the inability to get to a toilet in time. It can occur after consuming foods or drinks that irritate the bladder, such as coffee or pop. Certain medications, such as water pills for high blood pressure or pain pills containing caffeine can cause urgency. It is more common with certain neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. There are many possible causes and if the pelvic floor muscles are weak, then leaking with urgency is more likely.
   
   
3. Mixed incontinence is very common when both stress and urge incontinence are present.
   
   
4. Overflow incontinence occurs when the amount of urine produced is greater than the bladder's holding capacity. It may give the feeling of constant leaking of urine.