From the experts
Q: "You know how when little kids realize they need to go to the bathroom, it needs to be now? I've become that way: I need to go often, and there's no delaying – otherwise I end up with an adult version of 'an accident.' I'm afraid of ever being very far from a restroom! Am I stuck with this for the rest of my life?"
Simple behavior modifications may improve the symptoms of overactive bladder.
The medical term for involuntary loss of urine or stool is “incontinence,” and there are several types. Stress incontinence and urge incontinence are among the most common.
The medical term for involuntary loss of urine is "urinary incontinence," and there are several types; stress incontinence and urge incontinence are among the most common.
Q: I've recently gone through menopause, and on top of everything else, I seem to be losing bladder control. I have little leaks of urine when I sneeze or laugh hard. Is this related to menopause? Is there anything I can do about it?
Q: Since I’ve been pregnant, I have been occasionally leaking urine. Will this stop after I have my baby? Can I do anything to avoid it now?
If you leak urine when you laugh, sneeze or cough, you have what we call “stress incontinence.” It happens when extra pressure is placed on the abdomen which, in turn, puts pressure on the bladder. Coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, playing tennis, running and jumping are examples of activities that can cause stress incontinence.
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