4 Types of Incontinence and How They’re Treated

Advanced OB/GYNE Associates Blog 4 Types of Incontinence and How They’re Treated
4 Types of Incontinence and How They’re Treated

Urinary incontinence affects millions of people, yet it’s something many are reluctant to talk about. We understand firsthand just how much bladder control issues can be frustrating, embarrassing, and disruptive to daily life. 

The good news? Dr. Andrea Das, Dr. Louisa Griggs, Dr. Djamilia Kryukov, and Dr. Patricia Tagamolila at Advanced OB/GYNE Associates are here to remind you that incontinence is not a normal part of aging that you have to accept. In many cases, effective treatments are available, and the first step is understanding what type of incontinence you’re experiencing. 

Here are 4 common types of incontinence and how they’re typically treated. 

1. Stress incontinence 

Despite the name, stress incontinence isn’t caused by emotional stress. It occurs when physical pressure is placed on the bladder, causing urine leakage. Common triggers include coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, and lifting heavy objects. Treatment options may include: 

For many patients, strengthening the pelvic floor can significantly improve symptoms. 

2. Urge incontinence 

Urge incontinence, sometimes called an overactive bladder, involves a sudden and intense need to urinate that can be difficult to control. You may experience frequent trips to the bathroom, strong urges that come on suddenly, leakage before reaching a restroom, and waking up multiple times at night to urinate. Treatment often includes: 

Identifying and avoiding triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, or certain foods may also help reduce symptoms. 

3. Overflow incontinence 

Overflow incontinence occurs when your bladder doesn’t empty completely, causing it to become overly full and leak. Common signs include frequent dribbling of urine, difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream, and feeling like your bladder never fully empties. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve: 

A thorough evaluation is important because this type of incontinence often has an identifiable cause that can be treated. 

4. Mixed incontinence 

Mixed incontinence is exactly what it sounds like: a combination of two or more types of incontinence, most commonly stress and urge incontinence. If you struggle with this, you may experience leakage when coughing or exercising, sudden urges to urinate, frequent bathroom visits, and multiple symptom patterns throughout the day. Because more than one issue is contributing to symptoms, treatment typically involves a combination that may include:

The goal is to address each contributing factor to achieve the best possible symptom control. 

In the end, urinary incontinence isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. To get the specific care you deserve, call 847-755-1111 today or use our online booking tool to request an appointment. We have offices in Arlington Heights and Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

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