7 Categories of Urinary Incontinence

1. Stress Incontinence                 

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is loss of urine that occurs at the same time as physical activities that increase abdominal pressure (such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, and exercising). For women with stress incontinence:

  • These activities can increase the pressure within the bladder, which acts like a balloon filled with liquid.

  • The rise in pressure can push urine out through the urethra, especially when the support to the urethra weakens.

  • The result is incontinence caused by the stress.

Some women leak occasionally. For example, when they exercise aggressively, have colds or allergies, or their bladder is very full. Other women have a great deal of leakage with simple activities such as getting up out of a chair, or simple walking. Although the severity may vary, many women find that these symptoms begin to limit their physical or social activities and can have a serious impact on quality of life.

2. Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder)

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a complex condition affecting about 15 percent of women across all ages. Also called urge incontinence, overactive bladder is leakage of urine accompanied by a sensation of the need to urinate, or the impending sense that a large leak is going to happen. Other symptoms include:

  • Frequency—the need to rush to the bathroom, more than 8 voids in each 24 hours.

  • Urgency—that gotta-go now sensation, a powerful urge to urinate, which is difficult to put off.

  • Nocturia—waking up twice or more at night to urinate.

Unlike stress incontinence, OAB usually means a bladder "squeeze" or contraction occurs at an unwelcome time. You may notice severe urgency and leakage when driving into the driveway, placing the key in the front door, running water, or with temperature changes. Some women with OAB also have urinary incontinence. OAB is a very common condition.

As a first step, talk to your medical provider or bladder specialist, like a urogynecologist or urologist. Discuss when and how often you leak urine. A physical exam helps identify other conditions that influence the bladder, such as prolapse.

3. Mixed Incontinence                 

Two or more causes contribute to urinary incontinence. For example, if a woman has the combination of stress incontinence (leaking with coughing, sneezing, exercise, etc.) and urge incontinence (leaking along with a need to get to the bathroom), the diagnosis may be mixed urinary incontinence. Often, you first experience one kind of leaking and the other begins to occur later.

4. Overflow Incontinence                 

Leakage or “spill-over” of urine when the quantity of urine exceeds the bladder’s capacity to hold it. Usually due to some blockage or obstruction preventing the bladder from emptying. This stops the bladder from emptying well and so, small amounts of leakage happen frequently. Overflow incontinence is less common among women, unless they have had bladder surgery, vaginal prolapse, or a neurologic problem.

5. Functional Incontinence                 

Leakage (usually resulting from one or more causes) due to factors impairing your ability to reach the restroom in time because of physical conditions (e.g., arthritis or using a walker). This may or may not represent a problem of the pelvic floor, but your health care provider can offer potential solutions.

6. Fistula

This is an abnormal connection between the vagina and the urinary tract, which results in urinary incontinence. This usually happens after some types of surgery, trauma, or radiation to the area. Urinary incontinence due to fistulas is relatively uncommon.

7. Diverticulum                 

Urine collects in a pouch within the urethra and tends to dribble out.