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Bladder Control FTR

Problems with Bladder Control? It's Common & Fixable

March 27, 2025 by HAP

Do you struggle with incontinence or have the sudden urge to go and worry about reaching the bathroom in time? It might feel too embarrassing to mention, so you stay silent and hope it goes away. You're not alone.

You’re not alone

Urinary incontinence—unwanted leakage of urine—is more common than you might think, affecting more than 33 million Americans. The sooner you address it with a healthcare professional, the sooner you can learn what’s behind it and how to manage it.

Many people find that maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can reduce the risk of bladder control problems. And if those measures don’t help enough, there are plenty of options available to lessen incontinence and improve quality of life.

New developments in care

In recent years, there have been advances in how doctors evaluate and treat bladder problems. Telehealth visits can make it easier to connect with specialists, and updated guidelines from national urological associations emphasize getting a full assessment early. For an overactive bladder, newer therapies include minimally invasive nerve stimulation techniques and Botox injections in the bladder muscle to reduce urgency and frequency.

Diagnosis may be simple

Bladder ControlOften, incontinence can be diagnosed through a straightforward medical history and a physical exam, along with tests to rule out infections. If needed, more advanced tests can measure bladder pressure and urine flow. While causes may differ between men and women, the approach to treatment often overlaps. In women, factors like pregnancy, childbirth, aging, menopause, smoking, obesity and constipation can weaken pelvic muscles and contribute to leakage.

Most cases fall into one of three categories:

Stress Urinary Incontinence

  • Symptoms: Leakage of urine during coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects.
  • Who’s Affected: It can occur in women of all ages and sometimes in men who have had surgery for prostate issues.
  • Treatment: Focuses on lifestyle changes first—limiting fluid intake, scheduling bathroom breaks, using protective pads and practicing pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels). Cutting back on caffeine can help too. Surgery is considered a last resort.
     

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

  • Who’s Affected: Many men and women experience OAB at some point. Conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS or dementia may increase the risk and an enlarged prostate can be a factor for men. In women, menopause and aging can weaken bladder muscles.
  • Symptoms: A sudden, strong urge to urinate and possible leakage before making it to the bathroom.
  • Treatment: Includes lifestyle changes—altering diet and exercise—and medications that reduce bladder muscle spasms. If those fail, options like Botox injections or nerve stimulation can help calm an overactive bladder.
     

Mixed incontinence

  • Who’s Affected: People who have both stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
  • Treatment: Usually focuses on whichever condition is most severe or bothersome first, then addresses the other.

Reduce the urge

Pelvic floor exercises help build strength and reduce urgency. You can do them on your own or work with a physical therapist. A common technique is the Kegel exercise:

  1. Tighten the muscles you’d use to stop your urine flow.
  2. Hold the squeeze for three seconds, then relax for three seconds.Repeat three to five times in a row, gradually increasing as you get stronger.
  3. Repeat three to five times in a row, gradually increasing as you get stronger.

Skin care & incontinence

  • Do limit how much soap you use in the affected area. Regular showers or baths using unscented, hypoallergenic soaps are usually enough.
  • Don’t rely on wipes, especially those with fragrance or chemicals that can irritate skin and trap moisture.

The good news

There’s no need to suffer in silence. Bladder control issues are fixable—or at the very least, manageable—and you’re not alone in facing them. With a growing range of treatments and support options, it’s possible to find relief and regain confidence. The key is to speak up, explore your options and never give up on finding a solution that works for you. For more information and to find a doctor near you please visit HAP's Find-A-Doctor Tool.

 

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Categories: Get Healthy