Urinary Incontinence

The main symptom is unintentional leakage of urine. The pattern and frequency depend on the type of incontinence. 

Common symptoms include:

• leaking urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising

• a sudden, overwhelming need to urinate that’s difficult to control

• leaking on the way to the toilet

• passing urine more often than usual

• waking at night to urinate (nocturia)

• a constant dribble of urine due to incomplete bladder emptying

Urinary incontinence can be caused by a wide range of factors, both short and long-term, and these can be different for men and women. Risk factors such as being overweight, smoking and having a family history of incontinence can also make you more vulnerable to the condition.

Short-term factors which may cause incontinence include:

• urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• pregnancy

• certain medications such as diuretics and antidepressants

• certain foods and drinks – coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks, and foods like chilli, chocolate and citrus fruits may act as diuretics

• constipation

Long-term causes of incontinence include:

• pelvic floor disorders – most common in women after childbirth

• menopause

• diabetes

• neurological disorders – conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, a stroke, a brain tumour, or a spinal injury

• overactive bladder 

• enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

• prostate cancer 

• prostate cancer surgery

At your initial consultation, your urologist will ask you some questions about your symptoms and lifestyle to help determine the type of incontinence you have and its cause. They may ask you to keep a bladder diary to help understand your symptoms. 

Your consultant may also need to perform a physical pelvic examination. In women, this involves an examination of the vagina. In men, this involves an examination of the prostate gland via the rectum.

Other tests may include:

• a dipstick test – a sample of your urine is tested for bacteria to rule out a urinary tract infection

• residual urine test – after you’ve urinated, a catheter is inserted into your bladder to drain and measure the remaining urine

• cystoscopy – a thin tube with a camera at the end is used to look inside your bladder and urinary tract to identify abnormalities that could be causing incontinence

• urodynamic tests – these are a series of tests that check the function of your bladder and urethra and involve measuring the pressure in your bladder and abdomen whilst filling and emptying your bladder

It's not always possible to prevent urinary incontinence, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it. 

Reduce your risk of urinary incontinence by:

• maintaining a healthy weight

• practising regular pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises

• limiting alcohol and caffeine intake

• avoiding constipation by eating a balanced diet with enough fibre

• staying physically active

• stopping smoking

Urinary incontinence doesn't usually have serious complications, especially once effective treatment is found, but it can cause problems if not managed. 

Complications of urinary incontinence include: 

• skin irritation – due to prolonged contact with urine

• frequent urinary tract infections, especially in those with incomplete bladder emptying

• embarrassment, anxiety, and social withdrawal

• reduced quality of life – avoiding activities such as exercise, travel, or intimacy

With effective treatment, most people find that their symptoms greatly improve and that there are no further complications.

Urinary incontinence can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition to live with, but thankfully, treatments can help to lessen or even resolve the issue.

Treatments for urinary incontinence include:

• lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, stopping smoking, and reducing caffeine

• pelvic floor muscle training

• bladder training

• medications to calm bladder activity 

• medical devices, such as vaginal pessaries or urethral inserts for women

• botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to relax the bladder muscle in an overactive bladder

• surgery

The type of treatment you need will depend on the severity and cause of your incontinence. Your Welbeck consultant will talk you through your options and provide you with the most appropriate treatment plan, tailored to you.

At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.