Symptoms, causes and treatments
The page gives brief details of symptoms, causes and treatments, along with terms you might hear to describe different conditions. Do not try to diagnose yourself, but the information should help when discussing your symptoms with a doctor or nurse. They can advise on medical treatments, such as bladder training and medicines, and also things you can do, like strengthening relevant muscles through exercises.
If these things do not work, an operation may be recommended. You will be told what is involved, and will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have. Most treatments, including an operation, will not affect your normal sex life. The Bladder and Bowel Foundation Helpline can provide further information.
Here are two general tips. Understandably, many people think that drinking less will help. In fact you should drink a lot - at least 6-8 cups a day. Liquids help keep your bladder in control and your bowels regular. Cutting down on drinks makes the urine more concentrated. This irritates the bladder, making you go more frequently but passing small amounts. It is better to drink more water and less coffee, tea, cola, other fizzy drinks and alcohol, as these can irritate the bladder too.
Obvious maybe, but have easy to manage clothes, particularly if dressing and undressing are difficult for you.
Stress incontinence
Symptoms and causes
Do you leak when you move about? Or sneeze, laugh or cough? Amount may vary from a few drops to a flood. Usually caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, such as following childbirth.
Treatments to Help
- Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support bladder and bowel. Ring the Continence Foundation Helpline (see Continence Foundation Helpline) for a fact sheet.
- Collagen injection to the neck of the bladder.
Products
- Washable pants with built-in pad (see underwear for boys and men).
- Mini-pads for women (see Pads).
- Pouches for men (See Pads).
- Vaginal cones for women (see For women).
- Electrical stimulation and biofeedback machines (see special products)
Urge incontinence
Symptoms and causes
Do you have to dash to the lavatory, or not get there in time? Your bladder may be 'over-active' for no apparent reason.
Treatments to help
- Take time to go to the lavatory at regular intervals.
- Exercises to train bladder to 'hang on', so you can extend the time between visits to the lavatory.
- Medicines which can help to control the bladder.
Products
- Washable or disposable pads for light or moderate loss (see Pads).
- Pants with built-in pad (see underwear).
- Hand held urinals. (see Alternatives to the lavatory)
Overflow incontinence
Symptoms and causes
Do you go to the lavatory a lot, have difficulty passing urine, or pass only a little each time? There may be an obstruction at the bladder outlet or the bladder may not be able to squeeze out all the urine.
Treatments to help
- Medical treatment to deal with the obstruction or to help the bladder to empty completely.
Products
- Washable or disposable pads (see Pads).
- Specialist products eg catheters (see Special Products).
- Male pouches (see Pads).
Reflex incontinence
Symptoms and causes
Does your bladder empty without warning? Usually caused by interrupted messages between bladder and brain, such as with spinal cord injury.
Treatments to help
- Varies according to cause of reflex. Keep a diary of amount and times you wet to help the doctor find appropriate treatment.
Products
- Specialist products eg catheters (see Special products).
- Pads for heavy loss (see Pads).
Enuresis
Symptoms and causes
Do you wet the bed at night or when asleep during the day? The cause is unknown but this is surprisingly common. One in 20 children and one in 100 young adults have this problem.
Treatments to help
- Do not reduce the amount you drink - drink plenty.
- Medicines can help to control your bladder.
Products
- Protective covers (see Protecting beds and chairs).
- Enuresis alarms (see For children and adults who wet the bed).
Bowel incontinence
Symptoms and causes
Do your bowels leak or empty without warning? Passing small stools or liquid mucus like diarrhoea without warning is usually a sign of constipation. Weak pelvic floor muscles or interrupted messages between the bowel and brain can be the cause.
Treatments to help
- Good diet and exercise keep your bowels moving and avoid constipation.
- Prescribed medicines.
- Suppositories or an enema to clear constipation.
- Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen weakened floor muscles.
Products
- Disposable pads (see Pads).
- Slim shaped or long rectangular pads (see Pads).
- All-in-one pads (see Pads).
- Anal plug (see For Children and adults who leak from the bowel)
Next Page: Getting help