Involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder is called urinary incontinence. It poses both a social and hygienic problem for women. In our country, approximately 100 thousand female patients per year apply to the doctor due to urinary incontinence complaints. Irritability, restriction in social behavior and daily activities are observed in patients. In this case, the first step of treatment is to understand the problem and decide what to do by an experienced physician.

Urinary Incontinence Causes

There are many reasons for abduction. Some reasons are only temporary reasons. When the causes are treated, urinary incontinence will disappear.

Temporary reasons can be listed as follows:

-Urinary tract infections

-Constipation

-Side effects of drugs

Some other causes of urinary incontinence are not temporary, but most are treatable:

-Weakness in the muscles that hold the bladder (urinary bladder) in place

-Weakness of bladder and or sphincter muscles

-Excessive or insufficient contraction of the bladder muscles

-Decrease in some hormones, especially estrogen

-Neurological diseases especially Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease

Types of Urinary Incontinence

-Urge (overtightening bladder)

-Stress(related to movement)

-Overfilled bladder and incontinence

-Urinary incontinence due to fistula (torn)

Urinary Incontinence (overtightening bladder, detrussor instability, bladder spasms)

It happens in people who cannot stop the messages about emptying the urinary bladder. In those with urinary incontinence, urgency and often difficulty in reaching the toilet on time are seen. Urge-type urinary incontinence is the most common cause of urinary incontinence, and it can often be treated with medications.

-Frequently evaluated in patients with urge urinary incontinence:

-Incontinence when reaching the toilet or bathroom

-Frequent urination at night needing to go to the toilet at least every two hours

-Feeling weak, weak, or having a small bladder

Stresscontinence (activity related)

Urinary incontinence while coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting is called stress urinary incontinence. During these activities, urine leaks out of the urinary bladder with the increase in pressure in the waist region. Stresscontinence can be in the form of incontinence in the form of drops, or it can be seen as a sudden escape of a cup of urine. Stress incontinence is frequently seen in women who have loosened pelvic (vaginal) region due to birth and/or age. Excessive weight gain is a facilitating factor.

-Frequently evaluated in patients with stress incontinence (activity-related):

-Urinary incontinence when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

-Frequent urination to prevent urinary incontinence (an effort to prevent accidents!)

-Avoiding exercise to avoid incontinence

-Not getting up to go to the toilet during the night, but incontinence while pooping from bed to the toilet in the morning

Overfilled Bladder and Incontinence

An overfilled bladder and urinary incontinence occur as a result of insufficient emptying of the bladder. Persistent or frequent incontinence of small amounts of urine is observed. The bladder is overfilled and there is no continuous and sufficient urination due to insufficient contractions. It can often be described as the overflow of the drippings falling into a full glass. Complaints seen in patients:

-Frequent urination at night

-Prolonged urination on the toilet

-Slow and drip urination

-Urinating in small amounts and not being able to void completely

Fistula (torn) Urinary Incontinence

An abnormal connection between two organs is called a fistula. Fistula-like tears and urinary incontinence are caused by the connections between the urinary bladder or the urethra and the vagina. Fistula-like urinary incontinence is rare in developed countries. It is mostly seen after surgery, female cancers or pelvic floor cancers and associated radiation therapy. Sometimes it can be seen in the mother after birth.

The complaints of the patients are usually:

-Persistent urinary incontinence

-Develops or may increase with coughing, sneezing and increased abdominal pressure