Urinary Incontinence: It’s More Common Than You Think
Posted on March 22, 2023
Urinary incontinence is defined as the loss of bladder control. It affects about 25 million people in the U.S. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. Two common types of incontinence are stress incontinence, which occurs when you cough, sneeze or lift something heavy, and urge incontinence, when you feel a constant need to go.
For women, incontinence can be the result of childbirth, as well as the weakening of the pelvic muscles when estrogen levels drop after menopause. In addition, some medications can cause incontinence, or make it worse.
With men, prostate problems are usually the cause. In addition, some medications can cause incontinence, or make it worse.
Talk to your doctor: If you have any form of incontinence, the first step in getting help is an honest talk with your primary care provider. They can help diagnose what type of incontinence you have and identify what is causing it. They can also create a treatment plan for you and, if needed, refer you to a urogynecologist (specialist who treats urinary incontinence in females) or a urologist (for men) for further treatment.
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