Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most common form of urinary leakage. This occurs due to the insufficient strength of the pelvic floor muscles. Your pelvic floor muscles can become weakened as a result of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. You may find that leakage tends to occur when sneezing, laughing or coughing as the pelvic floor is under an involuntary amount of pressure that cannot be controlled due to weakened muscles. These muscles can be trained and strengthened by good pelvic floor exercises.

Effort incontinence

Urinary leakage that occurs during exercise.

Detrusor overactivity

Another main cause of bladder leakage is a condition where the bladder muscles are over active; this is called ‘detrusor overactivity’. Sufferers tend to go to the toilet regularly – often up to every 15-20 minutes! They can also get up at night and may not be able to get to the toilet in time to urinate. These symptoms can be tremendously embarrassing and debilitating.