Female Incontinence (Cont.)

Causes of Female Incontinence

Incontinence in females can occur for many reasons. For example, temporary female incontinence can be caused by:
 
Sometimes female incontinence lasts longer. Female incontinence might be due to problems such as:
 
  • Weak bladder muscles
  • Overactive bladder muscles
  • Blockage from an enlarged prostate
  • Neurologic injury
  • Birth defects
  • Strokes
  • Diseases such as arthritis that can make walking painful and slow
  • Damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases, such as:

 

 
Aging does not cause female incontinence, but incontinence is more commonly seen in the elderly.
 

Types of Female Incontinence

There are several different types of female incontinence, including:
 
  • Stress incontinence
  • Urge incontinence (overactive bladder)
  • Overflow incontinence
  • Functional incontinence.
     
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence happens when urine leaks during activities, such as:
 
  • Exercising
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Other body movements that put pressure on the bladder.
     
This type of female incontinence is the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-aged women. In some cases it is related to childbirth. Stress female incontinence may also begin around the time of menopause.
(Female Incontinence Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD