Embarrassed to ask about urinary leakage? You don’t have to be. It’s a common condition, and here are some things you should know about it.

What causes incontinence in women?
Childbirth can weaken pelvic muscles, which contributes to stress incontinence. Women who have stress incontinence involuntarily lose urine during physical exertion. Stress incontinence also develops or worsens after menopause, when estrogen levels are low. The hormone estrogen helps keep pelvic muscles toned.

Another type of urinary leakage, called urge incontinence, is not related to weak pelvic muscles at all. In fact, it is the result of bladder muscles that are too active. Urge incontinence might be caused by nerve damage or an injury. Women who have urge incontinence get sudden urges to urinate. This can happen when they hear running water or even while they are sleeping.

Is surgery is the only treatment for incontinence?
Many women get significant relief from the following behavioral methods:

• Bladder training techniques, such as urinating on a set schedule
• Pelvic muscle exercises, which involve tightening and relaxing pelvic muscles for 10 seconds at a time, 30 to 80 times a day
• Weight reduction, if necessary

Can men suffer from incontinence?
Yes. Although they have similar symptoms, the cause is different. For men, the problem begins with the prostate gland. As men age, the prostate can enlarge and press on the bladder, squeezing the urethra and inhibiting the passage of urine. It’s common for men with this problem to retain urine in the bladder even after they urinate. The residual urine can cause pressure that damages the kidneys.

Behavioral methods generally do not provide relief for men’s incontinence. Men who suffer from the condition should see their doctor to learn about treatment.

Women: Explore Your Options
Looking for more information about treating incontinence? Visit www.paramounthealthcare.org, click on “Better Health for Life,” and type “Incontinence” in the search box.