Incontinence Symptoms

Types of incontinence:

• Stress incontinence – These are bladder leaks that happen when the bladder is put under stress. For example, when you cough, jump, laugh, trip or sneeze. These leaks are usually quite small. 

• Urge incontinence – These can be either bowel or bladder leaks that happen when you get the urge to go to the toilet. It is often linked with urgency and an inability to get to the toilet in time. For the bladder it is a common symptom of an overactive bladder and it can occur with certain activities such as hearing running water or putting your key in the door.  

• Overflow incontinence – These can be either bladder or bowel leaks that happen when the bladder or bowel gets very full. If they are related to the bowel it is usually linked to constipation. Overflow incontinence is much rarer than the stress and urge incontinence. In the bladder it is more likely to happen when there is a loss of bladder sensation or ability to empty, for example with nerve problems.  

• Coital incontinence – These are bladder leaks that happen during sex. They can happen with penetration or with orgasm. 

• Functional incontinence – These can be either bladder or bowel leaks that happen when someone is unable to get to the toilet either due to physical or cognitive reasons. For example if someone is unable to get out of bed or has dementia. 

• Flatal incontinence – This is the name given to loss of control of wind.  

• Mixed incontinence –  This is the term used when you have two or more types of bladder or bowel leakage. For example if you leak urine when you cough and also when you get the urge to wee.