Urinary Incontinence Types Stress Incontinence is the leakage of urine when intra-abdominal pressure is increased during activities such as coughing, sneezing or lifting. It is often due to weakness of the pelvic muscles and of the sphincter which surrounds the urethra. Urge Incontinence is the leakage of urine due to the intense need to urinate, with the inability to delay voiding until the toilet is reached. Mixed Incontinence is a combination of symptoms of stress and urge incontinence. Overflow incontinence is leakage of urine when the bladder is too full. You may urinate small amounts and do not feel the bladder empty completely. Incontinence after surgery can occur. This follows operations such as hysterectomies, caesarian sections, lower abdominal, prostatectomy and anorectal surgeries. Urgency & Frequency of the bladder cause the strong need to urinate often. Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Symptoms consist of frequency, urgency and pain. Pain, pressure or spasm can be felt in the bladder, urethral, vaginal and lower abdominal regions. Painful intercourse may occur. Men can have testicular, scrotal and/or perineal pain and painful ejaculation. Some people have IC in combination with vestibulitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Urethral Syndrome produces symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, urethral pain, an inability to start the urine flow right away (hesitancy) and pain on urination. Bladder Sphincter Dyssynergia There is incoordination and spasm of bladder/urethral sphincter muscles. These muscles affect the urine flow. Hesitancy occurs. Urinary disorders have many causes such as: pregnancy, childbirth, trauma, bladder infections, hormonal changes, medical conditions and diseases. The complex urinary system involves interaction with the bladder, urethra, pelvic muscles and neurological system including the brain. When this is disrupted, it can result in bladder and urinary problems. Physiotherapy treatment can teach you how to correct your urinary disorder. The pelvic muscles, which form a sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone, assist in controlling bladder and bowel function. If the pelvic muscles are weak and/or have increased muscle spasm, they need muscle strengthening and/or relaxing which is assisted by biofeedback. Other components of the treatment program may include: informational diaries, dietary modification, bladder and/or bowel management & retraining, electrical stimulation, pain reduction and muscle re-education of trunk, abdominal and hip musculature.