Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: Types, Causes, Treatment & More

Types of Urinary Incontinence

• Stress Incontinence: Leaks during physical activities like coughing or lifting.
• Urge Incontinence: Sudden, intense need to urinate due to overactive bladder muscles.
• Mixed Incontinence: Combination of stress and urge incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence: Incomplete bladder emptying leading to frequent dribbling.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

• Aging: Reduced muscle strength in the bladder and pelvic floor.
• Menopause: Decline in estrogen levels affects pelvic tissue.
• Other Factors: Obesity, urinary tract infections, and neurological disorders.

Treatment Options Without Medications and Surgery

• Lifestyle Modifications: Weight loss, reducing caffeine, and quitting smoking.
• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen bladder control