Urinary Incontinence: Types and Causes

Written by Yang Fu Li
Urology
Updated on June 07, 2025
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Urinary incontinence is divided into urge incontinence, stress incontinence, true incontinence, and overflow incontinence. During diagnosis, it is first necessary to determine whether there is incontinence, which should be differentiated from residual urine. Then, based on medical history, physical examination, and whether or not there are laboratory tests, the clinical type and cause should be clarified. The medical history should pay attention to whether there are bladder irritative symptoms, history of urinary stone expulsion, and history of pelvic surgery. Pregnant patients should have a comprehensive examination of the pelvic organs, urinary reproductive system, and nervous system. When necessary, urinary tract X-ray imaging, ultrasound examination of pelvic organs, cystoscopy, and bladder manometry should be conducted.

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What department should I go to for fecal incontinence?

"Fecal incontinence requires registration at a colorectal surgery department for consultation. The causes of fecal incontinence mainly include neurogenic and local organic lesions of the anus. If it is due to neurogenic reasons, then it is necessary to coordinate with a neurology department to examine whether the local contraction function of the anus has deteriorated, leading to relaxation of the anal sphincter or incontinence during defecation. If there is an organic lesion in the anal sphincter, especially when the tightness of the sphincter increases leading to excessive relaxation of the anal sphincter, this can also cause fecal incontinence. To treat fecal incontinence, one can opt for local surgery to tighten the relaxed anal sphincter, thereby preventing feces from involuntarily leaking out of the anus."

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What is postpartum urinary incontinence?

Many women experience urinary incontinence after childbirth, and the severity varies from person to person. The causes of postpartum urinary incontinence include the following aspects. First, during pregnancy, the enlargement of the uterus can significantly press on the female pelvic floor, causing damage to pelvic floor function. Second, for women who have a vaginal delivery, the fetus needs to pass through the vagina. This process can further exacerbate damage to the female pelvic floor. These factors together can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, resulting in conditions like uterine prolapse, bladder prolapse, and even urinary incontinence. For postpartum urinary incontinence, interventions such as Kegel exercises and electrical stimulation therapy should be used together to alleviate clinical symptoms and minimize impact on daily life. If conservative treatments are ineffective, pelvic floor repair surgery should be considered.

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Can postpartum urinary incontinence be recovered?

Most cases of urinary incontinence postpartum in women are treatable. To manage postpartum urinary incontinence, it is essential to develop good urination habits. Patients with postpartum urinary incontinence should urinate every two to three hours. This practice can help train the bladder control muscles and enhance the new mother’s awareness of urination. Each time you urinate, try to empty the bladder completely to train the pelvic floor muscles. Regularly performing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can increase their contraction and control abilities, alleviating cases of urinary incontinence. Most conditions can improve; however, more severe cases may require further treatment.

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Which part to massage for urinary incontinence

In cases of urinary incontinence, massaging acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) can effectively alleviate the condition, but this does not cure it. It is recommended to visit a formal hospital and follow the doctor's guidance for symptomatic treatment to achieve a cure. It is crucial to seek timely treatment to prevent the condition from worsening, which can be difficult to cure and may affect daily life. It is advised to engage in more physical activities regularly, as this can help strengthen the body's resistance. Doing exercises such as squats, push-ups, and sit-ups can also effectively help relieve symptoms of urinary incontinence.

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What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence mainly refers to the uncontrolled flow of urine from the urethral opening. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, tension incontinence, and neurogenic incontinence. Stress incontinence, commonly seen in women who have given birth, mainly refers to the leakage of urine from the urethral opening during actions that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, jumping rope, or sneezing. Urge incontinence is commonly seen in acute cases of bladder inflammation, where the inflammation stimulates the bladder, causing the patient to have a strong urge to urinate, thus losing control over urination, with urine flowing out from the urethral opening. Neurogenic incontinence is due to nerve damage, such as after spinal injury, leading to loss of bladder and urinary muscle function, causing urine to continuously flow out from the urethral opening.