Incontinence & overactive bladder
Leaking urine is common in women and men, and it isn't something you have to accept with age. Most cases improve with treatment.
Overview
Incontinence takes different forms: leaking when you cough, sneeze or exercise, a sudden urge you can't hold, or a mix of both. Each type is treated differently.
Many people put off a visit out of embarrassment. The conversation here is medical and confidential, and the goal is to get you back to your normal day without worry.
Common symptoms
- Leaking when you cough, sneeze or lift
- A sudden urge with leakage before you reach the toilet
- Passing urine more than eight times a day
- Waking at night to urinate
- Constant dribbling, or a bladder that always feels full
How we diagnose it
- Three-day bladder diary
- A record of when and how much you pass urine and what you drink. It is the most useful diagnostic tool.
- Urine test
- To rule out infection or blood.
- Post-void residual
- Shows whether the bladder empties properly.
- Urodynamic testing
- In selected cases, measures bladder pressure and function as it fills and empties.
Treatment options
Listed from least invasive. Treatment is chosen after assessment and agreed with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is incontinence normal after childbirth or with age?
It's common, but you don't have to live with it. Most cases improve with exercises and the right treatment.
Should I drink less to avoid leaking?
No. Too little fluid concentrates the urine and irritates the bladder. We adjust timing and type of drink, not the healthy amount.
Do you treat incontinence in men?
Yes, especially after prostate surgery or with overactive bladder symptoms.
Related conditions
Recurrent urinary infections
Finding out why infections keep coming back, instead of treating each episode alone.
Read about this ProstateEnlarged prostate (BPH)
Assessment of weak flow and night-time urination, treated with medication, Rezum vapour therapy, laser or endoscopic resection.
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