Bladder incontinence is usually split up into 2 types: Urgency associated incontinence or Stress urinary incontinence.

Urgency incontinence happens when you get a feeling of needing to use the toilet, or when you are about to use the toilet, and you then leak urine.

This type can also happen when you are running, or finished running.

Stress Urinary Incontinence happens when there has been a stress placed on the body such as:

• Cough/sneeze/laugh/vomit

• Exercise (including running)

• Get up from sitting down

However, you can also experience leaking when you

• Stand after using the toilet when you think you have finished emptying your bladder

• Don’t do anything at all!

Bladder incontinence can range from a few drops, to a dribble, to a gush, or a complete empty of your bladder.

Bladder incontinence is multifactorial.

It can be due to:

• Structural support your bladder and urethra have

• Overactive pelvic floor muscles (or tight muscles)

• Coordination of your pelvic floor muscles or

• Pelvic floor muscle strength

• The urethra itself

• Constipation

• Some medications

• Alcohol

• Bladder retention

Stress Urinary Incontinence tends to occur when something has caused the pressure inside the bladder to be greater than the pressure the urethra is holding itself shut.

Urgency incontinence tends to happen because there is compromised communication between the bladder and urethra, or the brain and bladder.

Incontinence can also be affected by hormones, and some may find it worsens during ovulation or when on their period.

Neurological presentations, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease will often present with bladder incontinence due to the muscles and nerves not communicating properly.

Bladder incontinence can affect a person of any age or background.

While people seem to think it is associated with pregnancy and birthing, many people who will experience incontinence have never experienced pregnancy.

It is important to find out why someone is experiencing incontinence and the history of it. Questions need to be asked about when it happens, what might be the situation surrounding it happening and if it has changed over time.

Depending on the type of bladder incontinence a person has will navigate the type of treatments available.

Treatment can include:

• Pelvic floor muscle release

• Pelvic floor muscle coordination or strength training

• Urge suppression techniques

• Bladder retraining

• Continence pessary or internal support devices

• Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS)