What’s Causing My Urinary Incontinence

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There you are, going about your day, when all of the sudden “oops, there it is.” A little leak of pee that you just weren’t able to control. Has that ever happened to you? What about the sudden, uncontrollable urge to “go,” that occurs out of nowhere. Next thing you know, you’re frantically scanning the horizon for the nearest restroom.

This is life with urinary incontinence, and it doesn’t have to end because you’re experiencing these types of problems. Understanding urinary incontinence and why it happens will give you the knowledge and the power to not allow it to rule your life.

It’s Not a Disease. It’s a Symptom.

One of the biggest misconceptions about urinary incontinence in both women and men is that it’s a disease, but it’s a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Sometimes the things we do every day or even physical problems lead to urinary issues too. If something is bothering you, don’t deal with it or simply think things will go away.

Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence

As we mentioned earlier, urinary issues don’t discriminate; they affect both men and women. However, ladies tend to experience this condition twice as much as men, with up to 45 percent of women having urinary problems. The Urology Care Foundation estimates a quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence, meaning millions of Americans are struggling.

Age seems to play a factor, increasing the odds of urinary incontinence as we grow older with time. Studies show of women age 20 to 39, 37 percent of them reported some degree of urinary incontinence. Among women age 60 and older, 39 percent of them report daily problems.

Besides the inevitable fact that we’re all getting older, other factors lead to urinary leakage or the sudden urge to go:

  • Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and how a woman’s anatomy is structured
  • Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, infections, strokes, surgeries, or pelvic cancer treatment
  • Tumors or obstructions
  • Reactions to certain prescription medications, foods, and beverages
  • An excessive amount of fluid intake

What Can I Do?

The first step you need to take is to call urology office and schedule a consultation. The good news is there are several ways to manage urinary incontinence; it’s just a matter of finding what’s the right fit for you.