Healthy bladder control depends on the coordinated function of the pelvic floor muscles, the urinary sphincter, and the nerves that communicate between the bladder and the brain. When any part of this system is weakened or disrupted, incontinence can result. In optimal conditions, the pelvic floor muscles and sphincter keep the urethra closed until you consciously decide to urinate. However, aging, injury, or neurological changes can compromise this mechanism.
In stress incontinence, the pelvic floor muscles and urethral sphincter have weakened, often due to childbirth, surgery, or chronic straining. When abdominal pressure increases during physical activity, these structures can no longer provide adequate support, allowing urine to escape. In men, prostate surgery is one of the most common causes of stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence involves the detrusor muscle of the bladder contracting involuntarily, creating sudden and overwhelming urgency. This overactivity can result from neurological conditions, bladder infections, bladder stones, or idiopathic causes where no clear trigger is identified. Overflow incontinence, more common in men with enlarged prostates, occurs when the bladder cannot empty fully, leading to frequent dribbling.
