Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss or leakage of urine. There are several types of incontinence. Pelvic health rehabilitation therapists address three main types of incontinence, including stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence.
- Stress urinary incontinence is leakage that occurs with coughing, laughing, sneezing, physical activity, or movement
- Urge urinary incontinence is leakage due to a strong desire to urinate that is difficult to defer. This may look like leakage on the way to the bathroom, to the sound of running water, or when putting the key in the door when first arriving home
- Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence
Comprehensive treatment for urinary incontinence is designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate episodes of urinary leakage. This type of treatment is appropriate and effective for individuals of all ages and can often reduce the need for surgical or pharmacological intervention.
This treatment may include pelvic floor muscle training, functional training of the pelvic floor muscles (such as with squats, getting up out of a chair, picking up something from the floor), behavioral techniques or strategies to improve bladder control, and use of biofeedback.