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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine. Stress incontinence is prompted by a physical movement or activity — such as coughing, sneezing or heavy lifting — that puts pressure (stress) on your bladder. Stress incontinence is not related to psychological stress.

Stress incontinence is much more common in women than in men.

If you have stress incontinence, you may feel embarrassed, isolate yourself or limit your work and social life, especially exercise and leisure activities. With treatment, you'll likely be able to manage stress incontinence and improve your overall well-being.

References
  1. DuBeau CE. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
  2. DuBeau CE. Patient information: Urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~/0j/LeBKevVnHo. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
  3. Urodynamic testing. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/urodynamic/index.htm. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
  4. Norton P, et al. Urinary incontinence in women. The Lancet. 2006;367(9504):57-67.
  5. Holroyd-Leduc JM, et al. Management of urinary incontinence in women: Scientific review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;291(8):986-995.
  6. Norton PA. Female urinary incontinence: Epidemiology and evaluation. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:870-876.
  7. DuBeau CE. Patient information: Urinary incontinence treatments. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~aup1.o0ho/j5Wk. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
  8. Baharak A, et al. Nonsurgical management of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:890-899.
  9. Rogers RG. Urinary stress incontinence in women. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(10):1029-1036.
  10. Nager CW, et al. Operative management of urinary incontinence. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:877-889.
  11. Costa P, et al. Advancing the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. BJU International. 2006;97(5):911-915.
  12. Khan F, et al. Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
  13. Urodynamic testing. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uimen/index.htm. Sept. 9, 2008.
  14. Rapp DE, et al. Surgical technique using AdVance sling placement in the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. International Brazilian Journal of Urology. 2007;33:231-237.
  15. Wolter CE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 6, 2008.

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Oct. 17, 2008

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