Bladder or bowel accidents can feel embarrassing, but they are very common—especially as people get older. The good news is that help is available, and many treatments are simple, effective, and low disruption.
If symptoms are affecting daily life, it is worth bringing up with a provider. These concerns are medical issues, not personal failures.
Common Causes of Incontinence
Incontinence can have several causes, and some are reversible. Common contributors include:
- Age-related changes, which can weaken muscles and support tissues
- Childbirth, a common cause of stress incontinence
- Obesity, which increases pressure on the pelvic floor
- Smoking, which can lead to chronic coughing
- Chronic constipation, which can strain the pelvic floor
Identifying the cause is an important first step because treatment depends on the type of leakage.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Two common patterns are:
- Stress incontinence: leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting
- Urge incontinence: a strong urge to urinate and not making it to the bathroom in timw
A provider can help determine which type is most likely based on your symptoms.
Treatment Options for Urinary Leakage
Treatment often starts with the least invasive options and builds from there.
For urge incontinence, care may include:
- Dietary changes
- Medications
- Procedures if symptoms do not improve
For stress incontinence, care may include:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy (more effective than doing Kegels alone)
- Surgical treatment, which is considered a gold standard for many patients
What to Know About Stress Incontinence Surgery
Modern procedures for stress incontinence are often minimally invasive and highly effective. Many patients see major improvement, and recovery is typically quick.
In many cases, it is:
- An outpatient procedure lasting about 15 minutes
- One small incision
- A short time off work
- Brief lifting restrictions, often around two weeks
Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of stool or gas. It can be distressing and can strongly impact quality of life, but it is treatable.
A common and often effective first-line treatment is pelvic floor physical therapy.
If bladder or bowel accidents are affecting your quality of life, you do not have to live with them. Valley Health can help identify the type of incontinence, address reversible causes, and guide you toward treatments that fit your needs.