Types of Incontinence

Understanding your symptoms is the first step to finding the right treatment

Not all incontinence is the same. Understanding which type you have helps determine the most effective treatment approach.

There are four main types of urinary incontinence. Many people experience a combination of types, most commonly stress and urge incontinence together (called "mixed incontinence").

🤧

Stress Incontinence

What it is: Leakage that occurs when physical pressure is placed on the bladder.

Common triggers:

  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Exercising (jumping, running, lifting)
  • Standing up from sitting
  • Bending over
  • Sexual activity

What causes it:

  • Weak pelvic floor muscles (from pregnancy, childbirth, aging)
  • Weak urethral sphincter (the muscle that holds urine in)
  • Hormonal changes (menopause reduces tissue elasticity)
  • Chronic coughing or constipation (repeated stress)
  • Obesity (constant pressure on pelvic floor)

Who gets it:

  • Women who have given birth (especially vaginal delivery)
  • Post-menopausal women
  • Female athletes (runners, gymnasts, CrossFit)
  • Men after prostate surgery (less common)

Typical pattern: Small to moderate leaks during activities. You may need to wear pads daily. Often worse when bladder is full.

Best treatments: Pelvic floor strengthening (Kegels, pelvic floor PT, Emsella therapy), weight loss, treating chronic cough

âš¡

Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder)

What it is: Sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage.

Common triggers:

  • Hearing running water
  • Drinking small amounts of liquid
  • Arriving home (key-in-door syndrome)
  • Cold weather or touching cold water
  • Stress or anxiety
  • No apparent trigger (just happens)

What causes it:

  • Overactive bladder muscles (detrusor instability)
  • Nerve damage (diabetes, stroke, MS)
  • Bladder irritation (infection, stones, inflammation)
  • Neurological conditions
  • Sometimes no identifiable cause

Who gets it:

  • Anyone, but increases with age
  • People with neurological conditions
  • Those with chronic UTIs
  • People with diabetes

Typical pattern: Sudden overwhelming urge with little warning. May leak moderate to large amounts. Often need to urinate 8+ times per day, multiple times at night.

Best treatments: Bladder training, medications, avoiding bladder irritants, Emsella therapy, nerve stimulation

🔄

Mixed Incontinence

What it is: Combination of stress and urge incontinence symptoms.

What it looks like:

  • You leak when you cough or exercise (stress)
  • AND you have sudden urges with leakage (urge)
  • Sometimes one type is more bothersome than the other

Who gets it:

  • Very common, especially in older women
  • Often develops when one type of incontinence leads to another
  • Post-menopausal women frequently have mixed type

Typical pattern: Varies day to day. Some days stress symptoms dominate, other days urge symptoms are worse.

Best treatments: Address both types simultaneously. Emsella therapy treats both stress and urge incontinence effectively. May combine with bladder training and lifestyle changes.

💧

Overflow Incontinence

What it is: Bladder doesn't empty completely, causing frequent or constant dribbling.

Common symptoms:

  • Frequent dribbling throughout the day
  • Weak urine stream
  • Feeling like bladder never fully empties
  • Straining to urinate
  • Frequent urination with small amounts

What causes it:

  • Blocked urethra (prostate enlargement in men)
  • Weak bladder muscles (can't contract properly)
  • Nerve damage (diabetes, spinal injury)
  • Certain medications

Who gets it:

  • More common in men (prostate issues)
  • People with diabetes
  • Those with nerve damage
  • After pelvic surgery

Typical pattern: Constant dribbling or frequent small leaks. Never feel fully empty after urinating.

Best treatments: Depends on cause. May need catheterization, medications to relax urethra or strengthen bladder, surgery to remove blockage. See a urologist for evaluation.

Quick Comparison

Type Main Trigger Common Cause Best Treatment
Stress Physical pressure (cough, sneeze, exercise) Weak pelvic floor Pelvic floor strengthening (Emsella)
Urge Sudden overwhelming urge Overactive bladder Bladder training, Emsella, medications
Mixed Both stress and urge triggers Combination of both Emsella (treats both types)
Overflow Constant dribbling Blockage or weak bladder Medical evaluation required

Which Type Do You Have?

Ask Yourself These Questions:

Do you leak when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise?
→ Likely stress incontinence

Do you get sudden, strong urges to urinate that you can't control?
→ Likely urge incontinence

Do you experience both of the above?
→ Likely mixed incontinence

Do you dribble constantly and feel like your bladder never fully empties?
→ Likely overflow incontinence (see a doctor)

Why Knowing Your Type Matters

Different types respond to different treatments:

Good news: Emsella therapy is effective for stress, urge, AND mixed incontinence — the three most common types. It strengthens pelvic floor muscles while also improving bladder control reflexes.

Ready to Explore Treatment Options?

Learn about all available treatments and find what works best for your type of incontinence.

View Treatment Options

Next Steps

Now that you understand your type of incontinence:

  1. Learn about treatment options — See what's available and what works best for your type
  2. Read detailed guides — Check out our blog for specific symptom articles
  3. Get professional help — Schedule a consultation to discuss your options

Popular articles: