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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.

If you’re suffering from continence problems then you can watch a special webchat with Mr Andrew Clarke on Thursday 10th December at 2pm (GMT). Go to www.webchats.tv to submit your questions ahead of the live chat.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

hi i have diabetes tipe2 i go to bed about midnight every night and awake every 2 hours to wee is this natural





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Im a 21 year old male i have been needing to go to pee more often lately this only happens in the evening when relaxing but shortly after I have been to the toilet I find myself feeling like I have a full bladder again only to find its just a few drops. If u don't go to the toilet when I need to I start too leak a small amount. This is driving me mad & been on going for two weeks now, other wise i am fit & well any advise please ?





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hi doctor i had a circumcision two weeks ago but i seem to be urinating backwards and also it splashes a bit and now last two or 3 days its started to itch alot both inside and outside near the wound. Also some kind of skin is pealing off of my penis. But generally lots of itchy ness many people tell me it's coz i'm healing but i feel it's an infection.





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I am 15 and when i laugh i wee, it is embarrassing can someone help me :( pelvic floor exercises dont help!





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Hi im 25 and i am forever going to the toilet. I also leak slightly after, the feeling that i am not completely finished. From what i can see i am too young for it to be my prostate, my blood test was fine, and i drink 3-4 pints of liquid a day (3-4 cups of tea, glass of juice, and pint of water) Is this too much? My pee count is usually in double figures every day. Anyone in the same boat?





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yes i am in the same boat has you and i am 20years old it is so embrassed i cant to do anything without leaking and sometimes becoming completly incontinant of urine

I am 39 and was going to a specailist about my bladder now they have sent me to get tests done i seen to have blood in my urine all the time. i cant get a full night sleep im up 2 to 3 times going to the bathroom and i leak all the time. The tests have been clear. 1 was a scan of kidneys the other was fluid put in me to fill my bladder but all was fine no cancer but still waiting to hear back from the doctor. can anyone help me understand this





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I have had a prostrate opp turp but i now wet the bed every night and catches me out during the day





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Hi my mum 57yr old for past couple of months ive noticed she been buyin pads n der been wet sometimes i thought it was cause she had a cough she was dribbling but she has told me that she doesn't have the urge for toilet to pee no more and looses blood sometimes when wipe dry my dad has noticed she has been loosing discharge after sex and she has fallen and peeed herself a few times is it anything to worry about





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im not sure whats going on with me i am weeing myself constantly pelvic floors are not working i went to see a specialist but he wouldnt even look cause i wanted more babys please help





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having always gone for my pap tests I now know that I have a retro facing uterus this is now causing me to leak urine or have urgency incontinence - at the age of 65 is there anything I can do ...I single but have a sexual relationship ...now it's a problem cos dare not sleep with him





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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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The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


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More Information

  1. Consultation: Urinary Incontinence

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  2. Quick Health Advice: Stress Incontinence

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  6. Consultation: Double Incontinence

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  10. Dr James Russell

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  11. Dr Priya Manickavasagar

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  12. Consultation: Soreness on the Penis

    In Videos - A patient is examined for soreness around his penis

  13. Dr Pixie McKenna

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Pixie.

  14. Dr Dawn Harper

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Dawn.

  15. Dr Christian Jessen

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Christian


More Information

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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