Urinary incontinence has many causes. Some of them are described below.
Foods and Beverages
- Alcohol
- Drinks that are fizzy or have caffeine
- Sugary and spicy foods
- Acidic foods like oranges
Medications and Supplements
These include medications that treat:
- Blood pressure, heart conditions, or diabetes
- Colds and allergies
- Depression and anxiety
- Dementia
- Psychosis
- Pain
Talk to your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking that might be causing urinary incontinence. Never stop medicines without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Health Conditions
- Sleep apnea
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Disabilities
- Arthritis (can be hard to get to the toilet)
- Urinary tract infection
- Constipation
- Prostate problems in men (including an enlarged prostate)
- Hysterectomy
- Obesity
- Some nervous system diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke or spinal injury
Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence
Gender
Stress incontinence is more common in women, both because of normal anatomy, and because of other life events that are unique to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. In men, prostate gland problems can cause incontinence.
Age
With aging, bladder spasms that the brain cannot control become more common.
Being Overweight
Extra weight puts more pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles, which can cause urine to leak, especially during a cough or sneeze.
Complications
Untreated incontinence can increase risk of other health problems, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin problems, such as rashes, sores, and infections
- Sleep problems
- Social withdrawal and depression from fear of accidents and odor
- Falls and fractures, especially from getting up at night or rushing to get to the toilet
- Sexual problems
Last Updated February 2023