Urology
Urinary Incontinence
We understand how the loss of bladder control can impact your life. Our advanced treatments help you live with less worry about bladder leakage.
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Rothschild, M.D. on June 12, 2026.
Care to Help You Live Without Bladder Concerns
Incontinence is treatable, often without surgery. The urology experts at UC Davis Health offer advanced diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for incontinence. Our compassionate care can help you find relief so you can live, work and socialize with freedom from bladder concerns.
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Types of Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common issue that affects people of every age and sex. It refers to how well you are able to control your bladder.
Incontinence is a range of conditions. You may experience:
- Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) from drinking alcohol or caffeine before bedtime or as a symptom of an acute or chronic disease.
- Functional incontinence if a physical disability or barrier or mental condition prevents you from getting to the bathroom before you urinate.
- Overflow incontinence if you can’t completely empty your bladder and lose small amounts of urine day and night.
- Reflex incontinence, when your bladder reflexes but your brain doesn’t register the urge to urinate, causing leakage.
- Stress incontinence, leaking urine when your body is under stress, like exercise, coughing and sneezing.
- Temporary incontinence, short-term loss of bladder control from a urinary tract infection, pregnancy or other temporary condition or certain medications.
- Urge incontinence when you get the urge to go and can’t hold urine long enough to get to a toilet.
- Mixed incontinence, a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
Bladder Control Symptoms
Symptoms of urinary incontinence can be uncomfortable and take a toll on your physical and emotional health. You may become less active or avoid intimacy and social occasions because you’re worried about bladder leaks. Talk with your physician about your symptoms and know the signs of a more serious condition.
Common Symptoms
These are common symptoms of urinary incontinence:
- Leaking with basic activities, like exercising, lifting, laughing or sneezing
- Leaking without feeling any urge to go
- Loss of bladder control during sexual activity
- Unable to make it to the toilet after an urge to urinate
- Wetting the bed while you sleep
Emergency Symptoms
Incontinence can sometimes indicate more serious urologic infections and inflammation or even bladder cancer. Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- Can’t empty your bladder fully or pass urine
- Discomfort in your lower abdomen
- Frequent urination (eight or more bathroom visits a day)
- Pain or burning when you urinate
Causes of Bladder Leakage
Many things cause urinary incontinence or increase your risk for having bladder control issues, from diseases to your lifestyle.
Aging
As you age, you have a greater risk of developing conditions that cause incontinence, like pelvic prolapse and enlarged prostate.
Disease
Some conditions, like diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, can cause damage to bladder nerves and muscles.
Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTI) and vaginal infections can cause temporary incontinence.
Lifestyle
What you eat and drink affects your bladder control. Constipation can put pressure on your bladder. Alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages stimulate your bladder and increase urine production. Smoking and lack of exercise also increase your risk.
Medication
Certain medications, including blood pressure pills, diuretics and muscle relaxers, can cause incontinence.
Overweight
Carrying extra weight strains pelvic muscles and puts pressure on your bladder.
Surgery
You may experience incontinence after a prostatectomy, hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery that affects the nerves and muscles in your pelvis.
Diagnosis and Testing for Urinary Incontinence
Some people are reluctant to talk about incontinence. But it’s important for you to seek help when bladder leakage affects your life. Your urologist will listen to your concerns, discuss your symptoms and conduct a physical examination.
You may need to undergo testing, such as:
Cystoscopy
During a cystoscopy, your urologist uses a small tube with a tiny video camera on the end inserted through the urethra to view your bladder. Your urethra is the channel that carries urine out of your body.
Post-Void Residual Measurement
A post-void residual measurement determines how well you are able to empty your bladder. This may be completed during an office visit with a small ultrasound measurement placed on your lower belly.
Stress Test
Your bladder is filled with liquid using a catheter. After you cough to simulate stress, your urologist evaluates urine leakage.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to look at the size and shape of the bladder, kidneys and prostate.
Urinalysis
Your urine is examined with urinalysis to check for infection, blood or other abnormalities.
Urodynamic Study
This is a complex series of tests that measure how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine.
Treatments for Urinary Incontinence
Our urologists offer a full range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter
Your surgeon implants a small, inflatable cuff to act as an artificial urinary sphincter (bladder valve) and control urine flow. This is only for men.
Bulking Agents
Injections of bulking agents add thickness around your urethra. The extra bulk helps close your urethra and can help control leaks.
Catheterization
If you can’t empty your bladder, you may need a catheter, a thin, flexible tube inserted into your bladder.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Electrical nerve stimulation sends electrical impulses to nerves that control your sphincter and bladder to improve your bladder’s reflexes. Sacral neuromodulation and implantable tibial nerve stimulation are both surgical options our experts can provide for urinary symptoms. Our experts are also trained in percutaneous nerve evaluations to offer a one week trial of sacral neuromodulation.
Medication
Medications target specific issues, like relaxing your bladder, reducing bladder contractions or tightening your sphincter muscle.
Obstruction Surgery
In men, the prostate gland can become enlarged and affect the flow of urine through your urethra. We use traditional or minimally invasive surgery to remove prostate tissue or widen the urethra.
Sling Surgery
Surgeons insert a sling made of synthetic or biologic material to support the urethra.
Managing Urinary Incontinence
You can take steps to prepare for bladder leaks and improve your bladder control.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Avoid constipation by eating a healthy, fiber-rich diet. Foods to enjoy include whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins and low-acid fruit.
Exercise
Incorporating physical activity into your life helps regulate your weight and improve your health. Core exercises and pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises strengthen the muscles that support your lower body. Learn how to do Kegel exercises correctly by monitoring your exercise with biofeedback and incorporating mild electrical stimulation.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Losing weight may help you reduce pressure on your bladder.
Quit Smoking
Smoking-related cough can cause stress incontinence. When you stop smoking, you also reduce your risk for bladder cancer.
Time Your Bathroom Breaks
Train your bladder by tracking your bathroom breaks. Gradually increase the time between breaks.
Try Incontinence Products
Protective undergarments and pads help when you have a leak or can’t make it to a toilet.
Watch What You Drink
It’s important to stay hydrated, but limit drinks with alcohol, caffeine and carbonation, particularly near bedtime.
Of adult women,
25-40%Experience some degree of urinary incontinence.
Of adult men,
5-15%Have urinary incontinence, with rates that can increase after prostate surgery.
Sources: National Association for Continence: Incontinence by the Numbers
National Library of Medicine: Male Urinary Incontinence: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Preventive Intervention
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