General Overview
Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control leading to urine leakage. It can be temporary or chronic.
InDepth
- What is urinary incontinence?
- What are the risk factors?
- What are the symptoms?
- How is it diagnosed?
- How is it treated?
- What are the screening tests?
- How can I reduce my risk?
- What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about urinary incontinence?
Find answers in our in-depth report on urinary incontinence:
Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures
Living With Urinary Incontinence
Are you a woman who hesitates to play a favorite sport, like golf or tennis, because the exertion sometimes causes "leaks"? Do you find yourself scanning the personal care aisle of the supermarket, shopping for hygiene products you never thought you'd need? You're not alone.
Preventing Urinary Incontinence
Kegel exercises are exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. They are also called pelvic floor muscle exercises. Kegel exercises are usually recommended for women with urinary or “stress” incontinence. Urinary incontinence often follows childbirth or menopause. Learn more here.
Special Topics
Bed-wetting
Bed-wetting is involuntary urination during sleep in children over age five. Learn more here.
Rubin, 57, is a manager for a multinational manufacturer of electronic systems for jet aircrafts and airports. Here, he describes how he began to exhibit the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and how he copes with his condition on a daily basis. Read more about Rubin's story and how some BPH symptoms are similar to urinary incontinence.
Frank is a 60-year-old security consultant from Florida who travels around the country. He advises companies about ways of strengthening their defenses and managing crises. He learned he had prostate cancer five years ago. Read more about Frank's story and how some prostate cancer symptoms are similar to urinary incontinence.