Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, a common condition that affects women across the lifespan and can substantially impair quality of life. It is classified by mechanism into several principal types. Stress incontinence results from leakage during increases in intra-abdominal pressure, such as …
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, a common condition that affects women across the lifespan and can substantially impair quality of life. It is classified by mechanism into several principal types. Stress incontinence results from leakage during increases in intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or exertion, and reflects insufficient support or closure of the urethral sphincter, often related to pregnancy, childbirth, and pelvic floor weakening. Urge incontinence arises from involuntary detrusor muscle contractions producing a sudden compelling need to void, and mixed incontinence combines features of both. Additional forms include overflow incontinence from incomplete bladder emptying and, distinct from these, continuous leakage caused by a fistulous communication between the urinary tract and the genital tract. Risk factors encompass parity, menopause and estrogen decline, obesity, pelvic surgery, and neurological conditions affecting bladder control. Evaluation combines clinical history, physical examination, assessment of pelvic floor function, and where indicated urodynamic testing to characterize the underlying mechanism. Management is matched to type and severity and ranges from pelvic floor muscle training, behavioral and lifestyle measures, and pharmacologic therapy to surgical procedures that restore urethral support. Because incontinence is frequently underreported, recognition and accurate classification are essential to directing effective, individualized treatment and to mitigating its physical, psychological, and social consequences.
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The 8 articles above have been cited 13 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Urinary Incontinence, linking to each citing work.