There are several forms of incontinence. In urge incontinence — also called overactive bladder — the woman experiences loss of urine that is associated with a sudden, strong desire to urinate that can't be postponed. In stress incontinence, increased pressure in the abdomen momentarily puts physical stress on the pelvis, resulting in urine loss. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercise, and even standing up can cause leakage in women with stress incontinence.
It's common for women to experience symptoms of both urge and stress incontinence. This condition is called mixed incontinence.
Women with mixed incontinence experience symptoms of both urge incontinence and stress incontinence. Usually, one type is more bothersome than the other. For example, a woman may mostly suffer from stress incontinence and only rarely be unable to reach the toilet in time.
Symptoms of urge incontinence include:
Symptoms of stress incontinence include:
If you have incontinence, keeping a urinary diary — a record of your daily urination, urine accidents and fluid intake — can help us make the proper diagnosis and decide on the appropriate treatment.
At your first visit to the UCSF Women's Continence Center, your provider will ask questions about your general health, your history of incontinence, past surgeries, illnesses and medications you are taking. The provider will also perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. In addition, a urine sample will be tested. If your problem is complex, additional tests may be done at a later visit.
Treatment for mixed incontinence can include combinations of therapies prescribed for either stress or urge related incontinence. These treatments are described below.
Behavioral treatments are simple, self-directed, have no side effects and are often used in conjunction with other treatment options. They have proven effective for many women and work well for certain types of incontinence. They include:
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Women's Continence Center
2356 Sutter St., Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143-1754
Phone: (415) 885-7788
Toll-free: (877) 366-8532
Fax: (415) 353-9550
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