Causes of Incontinence...

Causes of Stress Incontinence

• Pregnancy
• Injury to the area (for example, childbirth)
• Menopause - the muscles weaken as you get older and can lead to prolapse
• Menopause – a downturn in oestrogen production can lead to a weakening of the muscles of the pelvic floor and bladder/sphincter
• Surgery (for example prostate surgery in men or hysterectomy in women)
• Being obese.

Causes of Urge Incontinence

• Cystitis or other infections of the urinary system or kidneys
• Blockages such as bladder stones or tumours
• Dementia (for example Alzheimers Disease)
• Neurological disorders which alter the function of nerves (for example stroke, Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury)

Other causes of incontinence

Medication – some drugs, especially those prescribed for high blood pressure, and muscle relaxants can have incontinence among their side effects. Some drugs cause you to produce more urine than normal.

Urinary system problems such as abnormal openings in between parts of the system known as fistulas.

Physical disability or mobility problems might prevent you from reaching the toilet in time when you need to pass urine.

Diabetes can interfere with the normal production of urine and so can cause problems with continence.