How many types of urinary incontinence are there?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on November 20, 2024
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Urinary incontinence refers to the uncontrolled release of urine through the urethra. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including urge incontinence, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, and true incontinence, each requiring treatment tailored to the specific type. The most common type is stress incontinence, which is often seen in women who have given birth. It is mainly caused by relaxation of the bladder sphincter and typically occurs when sudden increases in abdominal pressure, such as during coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, cause urine to flow from the urethra. If the symptoms are mild, improvement can be achieved through exercises for the pelvic floor and bladder sphincter muscles. If the symptoms are severe, surgical treatment is recommended.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What causes urinary incontinence in the elderly?

Urinary incontinence in the elderly refers to individuals over the age of 60 who experience involuntary urine leakage from the urethra, beyond their subjective control. Based on different mechanisms of onset, there are four main types: genuine urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, overflow urinary incontinence, and urge urinary incontinence. Persistent urinary incontinence is due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction, excessive contraction of the urinary muscles, severe damage to the urethral sphincter, and the bladder losing its storage function. This type can be seen in conditions like chronic stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and spinal disease. Stress urinary incontinence occurs due to relaxation of the urethral sphincter, pelvic floor muscles, and muscles around the urethra, leading to reduced urethral pressure. This situation is more common in elderly women and in the perineum of men, or due to urethral damage and urethral surgery. The third major category is overflow urinary incontinence, mainly seen in obstructive lower urinary tract diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia. Chronic urinary retention due to various causes results in bladder pressure exceeding the resistance of the normal urethral sphincter, causing urine to leak from the urethra. Lastly, urge urinary incontinence generally refers to overactivity of the bladder muscles, typically associated with bladder inflammation, acute urethritis, or the presence of bladder stones, bladder tumors, or obstructions at the bladder outlet, all of which can cause urge urinary incontinence.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Where is there a specialty for urinary incontinence?

Generally speaking, urinary incontinence falls under the category of urology, though some aspects could also be seen by specialists in men's health, who can effectively treat symptoms of urinary incontinence. Generally, it is recommended that patients seek examination and treatment in public hospitals, as the treatment provided in private hospitals is often not as reliable. For patients with urinary incontinence, it is advisable to consult the urology department if visiting a hospital. The urology department primarily deals with diseases of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Typically, urinary incontinence involves issues with the urethra or bladder, which can lead to incontinence. Therefore, it is advisable for patients to visit a reputable public hospital and consult the urology department.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does postpartum urinary incontinence require surgery?

In cases of postpartum urinary incontinence, treatment should be selectively based on the individual condition of the mother. For those with mild postpartum urinary incontinence symptoms, normal recovery can be achieved through effective physical exercise and a period of rest and recuperation. However, in severe cases of urinary incontinence, surgery is also a treatment option. Therefore, the treatment for postpartum urinary incontinence should be determined based on the specific cause and severity of the condition. It is not limited to surgical treatment alone, so it is necessary to conduct an examination first and then choose the method of treatment.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How to recover from urinary incontinence after natural childbirth

Vaginal delivery refers to childbirth through the vagina, and while it has many benefits, it also has certain drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage is that it can cause damage to a woman's pelvic floor, leading to conditions such as uterine prolapse and bladder prolapse, which manifest as urinary leakage or incontinence. If urinary incontinence occurs after vaginal delivery, it can be addressed through the following methods: First, one can perform Kegel exercises at home. Kegel exercises are a set of movements that contract the muscles of the pelvic floor, which can help alleviate urinary incontinence, though the effect may be weak. Second, for patients with significant urinary leakage or incontinence, it is recommended to seek hospital treatment with machine-assisted therapy, primarily using electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles to promote contraction and improve symptoms of incontinence. Third, if the above methods are ineffective, an evaluation of pelvic floor function should be conducted, and if necessary, pelvic floor repair surgery should be performed.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What should I do if the skin is eroded due to urinary incontinence?

For patients suffering from urinary incontinence, it can greatly inconvenience normal work and daily life. Continuous leakage of urine can easily damage the skin around the genitals, causing the skin to ulcerate, itch, and even suppurate. In such cases, one can consider using a catheter to drain the urine, and then treat the affected skin area for infections. Topical application of iodine for disinfection may be used, and if necessary, medications such as Lotion Calamine can be applied for treatment. Usually, once the skin is no longer exposed to urine, the ulcerated skin will gradually heal over one to two weeks. However, it is also crucial to actively determine the causes of urinary incontinence and treat the underlying condition based on those causes. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)