What Causes Incontinence?

Understanding the cause of your incontinence will help define your options. We can start by looking at how the urinary system works in normal urination.

Normal urination involves the excretory organs, the brain and the communication pathways between the two. Any malfunction or disruption of the process of the brain sending a “bladder’s full” signal – or the excretory organ acting on that signal- can lead to incontinence. Just a few of the common causes include:

• Childbirth
• Excess weight
• Urinary tract infections
• Illness
• Prostate surgery
• Weakening of the pelvic muscles
• Hormonal changes to bladder support during menopause
• Certain heart and high blood pressure medications