What is Urinary Incontinence? Understanding Causes and Treatment
Written by Amanda Fisher, Pelvic Floor PT at Empower Your Pelvis in Kansas City, MO.
Urinary incontinence is a common condition where urine leaks out when you least expect it or don’t want it to. Have you ever found yourself crossing your legs just before a big sneeze to avoid leakage? If so, this blog is for you! Whether it's a few drops or a larger amount, and whether it happens frequently or only occasionally, pelvic floor physical therapycan help resolve it.
One important thing we always tell our patients: incontinence is common, but not normal. You are not alone in experiencing it, but it’s not something you have to live with. Many people assume it’s just a natural consequence of childbirth, aging, or surgery, but the good news is that it can be treated!
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are different types of urinary incontinence, and understanding which type you have is the first step toward effective treatment.
Stress Incontinence occurs when activities like sneezing, coughing, laughing, running, or jumping put pressure on the bladder, causing urine to leak.
Urge Incontinence is characterized by a sudden, strong urge to urinate, often leading to leakage before you can make it to the restroom.
Mixed Incontinence is when someone experiences both stress and urge incontinence.
Why Does Urinary Incontinence Happen?
There are many reasons why incontinence occurs. Some people have pelvic floor muscles that are too tight (hypertonic) and can't properly contract when needed, while others have weak muscles (hypotonic) that aren’t able to support the bladder effectively.
Incontinence can also be triggered by:
Pregnancy and childbirth, when added pressure on the bladder affects muscle control.
Menopause, due to changes in hormone levels that affect muscle tone.
Prostate surgery in men, where incontinence is common after procedures like prostatectomies.
Pelvic surgeries or other medical conditions that impact bladder control.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
A pelvic floor physical therapist plays a key role in diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence. During your evaluation, your therapist will assess whether your pelvic floor muscles are too tense or too weak and identify other contributing factors.
A comprehensive evaluation includes:
An assessment of your diet and hydration habits
Menstrual and reproductive history
Bowel habits that could affect bladder control
Your breathing patterns and posture
The strength and flexibility of your core and pelvic muscles
Many patients see improvement within 4-8 physical therapy sessions, with the greatest benefits coming from at-home exercises provided by your therapist. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had incontinence—whether it’s been a few months or many years—pelvic floor physical therapy can help you regain control and start your journey toward a leak-free life.
Get Professional Help
If you're looking for “pelvic floor therapy near me”, consider scheduling a consultation at one of our locations in Kansas City-Overland Park, Kansas, or Lees Summit, Missouri. Click here to book your appointment.
Join the LEAKAGE LOCKDOWN Program
Ready to make a change and address urinary leakage? Join the LEAKAGE LOCKDOWN program for comprehensive support and solutions.
With wellness in your pelvis-
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)