What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Do you sometimes leak urine before you get to the bathroom, or when you cough or sneeze? If so, you may have urinary incontinence and should see a doctor.

Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH.

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Although more common in women, urinary incontinence may also occur in men and children. Most problems happen when bladder muscles become too active, or pelvic floor muscles that help hold urine in the bladder become too weak. If bladder muscles are too active, you may feel a strong urge to urinate that you cannot control. If pelvic floor muscles are weak, you may leak urine when you cough or sneeze.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. The good news is that there are many treatments available besides medications and surgery.

To learn more about urinary incontinence, follow us @NIDDKgov. This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers.