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Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.
Learn about possible causes of the loss of bladder control and what treatments are available for this problem.
Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth. Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be difficult to discuss.
Stress incontinence is not the same as urgency incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB). Those conditions cause the bladder muscle to spasm. This leads to a sudden need to urinate quickly.
A bladder diary may help your provider find the cause of your bladder control problem. Knowing the cause can lead to effective treatment.
Depending on the cause of fecal incontinence, options include: Anti-diarrheal drugs such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) and those containing diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil). Bulk laxatives such as methylcellulose (Citrucel) and psyllium (Metamucil), if chronic constipation is causing your incontinence.
Bed-wetting that starts in adulthood (secondary enuresis) is uncommon and requires medical evaluation. Causes of adult bed-wetting may include: A blockage (obstruction) in part of the urinary tract, such as from a bladder stone or kidney stone. Bladder problems, such as small capacity or overactive nerves. Diabetes.
Overactive bladder, also called OAB, causes sudden urges to urinate that may be hard to control. There might be a need to pass urine many times during the day and night. There also might be loss of urine that isn't intended, called urgency incontinence.
Male stress incontinence. Treatment for stress incontinence in people assigned male at birth might include: Bulking agents. Gels or other materials may be injected into tissues around the upper portion of the urethra. These materials bulk up the area around the urethra. Inflatable artificial sphincter. This device is put in surgically.
Stress incontinence can cause leaks when coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects. Here's a look at drugs commonly used to treat bladder control problems and their possible side effects. Medications combined with behavioral treatment might be more effective than medication alone.