Urinary incontinence is  a major symptom of overactive bladder (OAB), a clinical syndrome characterized by urinary urgency (and sometimes frequent urination and nocturia.) According to the American Urological Association, up to 5% of men and 30% of women experience urinary incontinence in the U.S.

However, loss of bladder control can be caused by other medical conditions or life changes, and there are several different types of urinary incontinence. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of urinary incontinence and for guidance on getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE?

Urinary incontinence is a clinical term for the loss of bladder control. Other terms sometimes used to describe urinary incontinence are bladder leakage and OAB, which, as described above, is actually a syndrome of which urinary incontinence can present as one symptom.

Urinary incontinence can occur in men and women, though it is estimated to occur in twice as many women as men. This is thought to be linked to unique health events associated with women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, though certain men’s health conditions – such as enlarged prostate – are also linked to incontinence. Like urinary incontinence specifically, OAB can occur in both men and women.

Some people assume that incontinence is a natural part of aging, especially since aging does have an effect on the muscles around the bladder and urethra that help control the release and retention of urine. However, chronic urinary incontinence can actually indicate underlying health conditions such as OAB, or other serious medical conditions such as infections, neurological diseases, and growths.

One factor in finding the underlying cause of one’s urinary incontinence is understanding the different types of urinary incontinence, the symptoms of each, and the most common causes.