Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: Types, Causes, Treatment, & More
Types
Stress Incontinence: Leaks during physical activities like coughing or lifting.
Urge Incontinence: Sudden, intense need to urinate due to overactive bladder muscles.
Mixed Incontinence: Combination of stress and urge incontinence.
Overflow Incontinence: Incomplete bladder emptying leading to frequent dribbling.
Causes
Aging: Reduced muscle strength in the bladder and pelvic floor.
Menopause: Decline in estrogen levels affects pelvic tissue.
Other Factors: Obesity, urinary tract infections, and neurological disorders.
Treatment Options Without Medications and Surgery
Lifestyle Modifications: Weight loss, reducing caffeine, and quitting smoking.
Pelvic Floor Exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen bladder control.