Urinary Incontinence

Overview

Specialists at Mayo Clinic have extensive expertise in treating incontinence, annually evaluating nearly 10,000 patients for this condition. Urologists and urogynecologists use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat straightforward and complex cases of incontinence. Mayo specialists are also involved in research to better understand and treat incontinence. At Mayo Clinic, this condition can be cured or improved in the vast majority of patients.

Diagnosis

Mayo physicians have a full array of tests available to help determine the cause of urinary incontinence, including urinalysis, stress tests, cystoscopy and studies of urine pressure and flow. Read more about urinary incontinence diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Simple therapies, such as diet modification, avoiding liquids before bedtime, or changing medications can immediately improve urinary incontinence. However, when an infection or serious illness inhibits a patient's ability to control bladder function, more aggressive treatment may be needed. Non-invasive outpatient procedures, biofeedback, medications and surgery are among several options. Overall, Mayo Clinic finds that treatment can cure or significantly improve the symptoms of about 80 percent of patients with urinary incontinence. Read more about urinary incontinence treatment options.

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• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, an inability to control urination, is common in patients of all ages. Of the different types of urinary incontinence, stress incontinence is most common, especially in women, the elderly and small children. Although more prevalent in the elderly, urinary incontinence should not be considered a natural part of aging. It can happen to any patient at any age, and is nearly always treatable. Symptoms of incontinence range from embarrassing leaks and dribbles during routine or strenuous activity to a constant, urgent need to run to the bathroom.

Incontinence occurs twice as often among women as men, but affects both sexes as they age. Nearly half of people who live in long-term care facilities have urinary incontinence and one in 10 children over age 5 has bed-wetting problems.

In many cases, incontinence goes untreated. Patients may be too embarrassed to discuss the problem with a health care provider or may falsely believe incontinence is an inevitable part of aging. Fortunately, treatment for urinary incontinence is usually successful.

Read more at
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