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Conditions

Urinary Incontinence

Filling the bladder

Urinary incontinence is passing urine when you do not mean to because of partial or total loss of control of the bladder. It is estimated that 3-6 million people in the UK have some degree of incontinence, which becomes more common with age, but does not only affect older people. It’s twice as common in women as men and is more common in women after giving birth. Incontinence means that either the muscles, or the nerve supply, are not working properly to control your bladder. The two main types of urinary incontinence are: stress incontinence (a small amount of urine leaks out during physical activity), and urge incontinence (the bladder empties completely). However, there are a number of treatments available. Pelvic floor exercises (or Kegel exercises) can be performed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, or patients can be referred for electric stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles to increase their strength. There are also a variety of surgical procedures available.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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im 45 nd have had leakage for 25 yrs now recently gettin worse. ive gotta use 2 tena lady extras at a time maybe changing 3 times a day nd have not bin to bed now for yrs without wearing undawear nd pads. i would love to have an op to get it fixed, ive already bin to a continence nurse with no improvements





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I go for a wee a lot, I've had lots of tests at the doctors but they can't find anything wrong, I've tried tablets and less drinking but this still has not made a difference?





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hey im 23 years old...my whole life i have had problems holding in my urine and wet the bed at night untill i was around 11 years old. when i need to go it's urgent and will pee myself if i do not get the toilet and its even worse if ive had a few drinks. i also have some kidney problems and have had many kidney infections over the past 6 or 7 years. i do my pelvic floor exercises daily but they seem to make no difference. also during sex i will get pains inside my lower abdomen?????





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My problem is that sometimes I leak urine when I am in bed with someone (even without an actual intercourse) or while I sleep. It is very annoying and embarrassing. I don't have such problems during the day. BUt only one single touch by someone I like it makes me pee. I've never heard of such type of incontinence- kiss and touch thing. Very irritating.





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Hi, I'm a 40 year old male. Each time I urinate no matter how long I take about it afterwards I leak maybe a drop or two. If I rush it can be a dribble. Could this be down to weak pelvic floor muscles? I used to be quite fit but don't train any more. Thanks Colin





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am a 47 year old woman, had the last of my 4 children 17years ago. At the moment i have a really irrateting cough and a cold with it. what is happening is that cough is makeing me leak urin everytime, sometime coming away from me like a squirt and this is getting me down. this even happens if i sneesze. is there a oparation that could be done on the NHS.





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I am a 22 year old female and leak tiny bits of urine on a daily basis. I've had the problem for about 5 years now. I don't feel sexy around my partner as I have to wear panty liners. I take them off when I'm in bed so that I don't get embarrassed but then I'm constantly paranoid that I might leak a bit of urine during the night or during sex. What can I do?





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I am a 25 year old male and when I get cold my wee just comes out with no warning, as I have to go into fridges for my job there is always accidents. please help





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Hi am 37 years old had two kids, I have a problem when having intercourse with husband I wet alot even now is cursing problem between me and him sometime he want sleep with again because he dose it enjoy it anymore please can u help me to know what to Do thanku.





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hi i leak urine during intercourse. its been happening for the past 6months, 3 months ago i had a vaginal hysterectomy. i have had 2 euro dynamics tests and they said all was fine despite leaking a dribble when i cough or jump. ive had 4 children all normal births, my youngest is 18. i am on a low dose of nitrofurantoin as i was getting repeated urine infecions i hav been on these for 3yrs i take one at night.this leaking during intercourse is ruining my relationship. i am 52yrs old





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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More Information

  1. Consultation: Urinary Incontinence

    In Videos - Dr Jessen meets a woman whose problem bladder is ruling her life, b…

  2. Quick Health Advice: Stress Incontinence

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  3. Doctor Responses: Pelvic Floor Problems

    In Videos - Dr Dawn answers common questions from women regardng the pelvic floor.

  4. Episode 1 - Pelvic Floor

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  8. Consultation: Double Incontinence

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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It is a very common problem that is thought to affect about three million people in the UK. Read More »

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