UI is a common and distressing problem effecting over 3.5 million Canadian adults and can have a large impact on quality of life of the individual, their care giver, family, and others. More than an inconvenience, UI is a chronic and complex medical condition that is usually the result of some other underlying medical condition, which should be identified and treated.

Although the prevalence increases with age, UI is usually the result of an underlying medical condition. There are three primary types of UI: Stress UI, sometimes referred to as “low pressure” incontinence, Urge UI, sometimes referred to as “high pressure” incontinence and Mixed UI which is a combination of Stress and Urge UI.

Stress UI is typically caused when the prostate is removed (i.e. a radical prostatectomy), Prostate Cancer is treated with radiation, or following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) procedure for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). With Stress UI, leaks most often happen when you cough, lift or strain. These actions cause increased pressure on the bladder which results in involuntary leakage.

Urge UI occurs when overactive bladder muscles squeeze so hard the bladder sphincter can’t hold back resulting in large leaks which happen rapidly. Sometimes you can’t reach the toilet quickly enough which is why it is referred to as “high pressure” incontinence.

Yes there are effective treatments to manage UI symptoms. Because UI is a chronic and complex medical condition that is usually the result of some other underlying medical condition, it is important that you consult with a Doctor to identify the cause before selecting a treatment.