URINARY INCONTINENCE
What is it?
Urinary incontinence—the involuntary leakage of urine—affects an estimated 1 in 3 women at some point in their lives. It is especially common during pregnancy, postpartum, and after menopause, but can occur at any age. There are different types of incontinence, each requiring a targeted approach to treatment. Physiotherapy is the recommended first-line treatment for many forms of incontinence and has been proven to significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms for most individuals.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Stress Incontinence: Leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. Often linked to pelvic floor weakness.
Urge Incontinence: A sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage. Often associated with overactive bladder and may involve nervous system or bladder signaling issues.
Mixed Incontinence: A combination of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms.
Overflow Incontinence: Involuntary leakage due to an overfull bladder, often related to incomplete emptying.
Functional Incontinence: Leakage due to physical or cognitive impairments that prevent timely access to the toilet (e.g. after surgery or injury).
What to expect in physiotherapy
Your physiotherapist will begin with a comprehensive and respectful assessment of your pelvic floor muscle function, bladder habits, lifestyle, and any contributing factors. Treatment is personalized and may include pelvic floor muscle training, bladder retraining, biofeedback, breathing and core coordination techniques, and education on toileting posture and fluid intake. With consistent care, many people see substantial improvement and regain control and confidence.