Do you cross your legs when you feel like you’re going to sneeze? Does the sudden urge to go make you panic? Do leaks just happen randomly, without warning?
It is estimated that approximately half of adult women experience urinary incontinence (UI). However, of those living with symptoms, less than half seek care. Common reasons for delaying UI treatment range from embarrassment to fear of surgery to lack of knowledge about non-surgical treatment options.
Below is a brief overview of the types of UTIs in women and their symptoms. You’ll also learn how primary care doctors and women’s health specialists diagnose UI.
The four types of urinary incontinence
There are four different types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Each form of UTI has its own distinct symptoms. Let’s talk about the different types of UTIs and the symptoms they are known for:
1. Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence refers to any physical stress on the abdomen or bladder that forces urine to escape. This could be due to laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or doing certain physical activities. Stress incontinence tends to be more common in younger women.
2. Urge incontinence
Urge incontinence occurs when you feel a strong, persistent need to urinate. This type of UTI is caused by bladder contractions that expel urine and is commonly known as overactive bladder. Urge incontinence tends to be more common in older women, although it can also occur in younger women.
3. Mixed incontinence
Mixed urinary incontinence refers to the presence of stress and urge incontinence. Most women who have urinary incontinence have both a stress and urgency component.
4. Overflow incontinence
Overflow incontinence results from overflowing of the bladder. When your bladder becomes too full, urine will leak. This may be due to an inability to completely empty your bladder when urinating or simply not realizing that you need to do so. With this type of UTI, urine leakage may be continuous.
Symptoms of urinary incontinence in women.
Symptoms of UTI in women can vary from person to person. If you are not sure if you have urinary incontinence, pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Leaking urine when sneezing, laughing, or coughing
- Feeling like your bladder is never completely empty
- Constantly feeling the urge to urinate
- Waking up often in the middle of the night to urinate.
- Feeling like you have to urinate immediately after urinating
- Avoiding certain activities because you are afraid of leaking
- Run to the bathroom because you will leak if you don’t get there in time
- Suddenly noticing that you need to urinate all the time.
How urinary incontinence is diagnosed
Typically, your doctor will talk to you and perform a pelvic exam to check the health of your pelvic organs, such as the vagina, uterus, and rectum. There are several methods your doctor may recommend to diagnose your condition and determine possible causes of incontinence.
Keep a bathroom diary
You may be asked to keep a bathroom diary before or after your appointment. In your diary, you will record all your trips to the bathroom and bladder leaks or problems. It may also be helpful to record what you eat and drink in your bladder diary. This record will help your doctor get a more accurate idea of ​​your symptoms and how often they occur. Keeping a diary can also determine what triggers your need to urinate or any accidents.
urine test
For a urine test, you will need to provide a small sample. The laboratory will then analyze different factors such as acidity, appearance, concentration and presence of infection.
Bladder ultrasound
During a bladder ultrasound, the nurse will move a handheld device across your abdomen to measure the amount of urine left inside your bladder after you urinate.
Urodynamic tests
Your doctor may recommend additional evaluations that measure bladder function. Urodynamic tests measure how well the muscles of the bladder, urethra, and sphincter work together to store and release urine.
cystoscopy
This procedure allows your doctor to examine your urethra and bladder with the use of a small camera.
Don’t ignore incontinence symptoms
Do you feel insecure about your first step? Remember, incontinence doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying daily life on your own terms. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can be life-changing.
If you think you might have urinary incontinence, contact a primary care doctor or women’s health specialist. They will answer any questions you may have and guide you toward the treatment that will work for you. If you need more advanced care, your doctor may also refer you to a urogynecology specialist.
