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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of stress incontinence may include:

  • Personal distress. If you experience stress incontinence with your activities of daily living, you may feel embarrassed and distressed by the condition. It can disrupt your work, social activities, interpersonal relationships and even your sexual relations. Some people are embarrassed that they need pads or incontinence garments.
  • Mixed urinary incontinence. Mixed incontinence is common and means that you have both stress incontinence and urge incontinence — the loss of urine resulting from an involuntary contraction of bladder muscles (overactive bladder).
  • Skin rash or irritation. Skin that is constantly in contact with urine is likely to be irritated, sore and can break down. This happens with severe incontinence if you don't take precautions, such as using moisture barriers or incontinence pads.
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors

  • See Also

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  • Urinary incontinence
References
  1. Clemens JQ. Urinary incontinence in men. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  2. DuBeau CE. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
  3. DuBeau CE. Epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
  4. DuBeau CE. Treatment of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
  5. Urinary incontinence. WomensHealth.gov. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/urinary-incontinence.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  6. Urinary incontinence in women. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  7. Bladder and bowel health. National Association for Continence. http://www.nafc.org/. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
  8. Urinary incontinence in men. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uimen/index.aspx. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  9. Frequently asked questions. Gynecological problems FAQ081. Urinary incontinence. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq081.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121218T1703471630. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  10. Loss of bladder control. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118544.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
  11. Frequently asked questions. Gynecological problems FAQ166. Surgery for stress urinary incontinence. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq166.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130102T2043435319. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013.
  12. Hayder D. The effects of urinary incontinence on sexuality: Seeking an intimate partnership. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. 2012;39:539.
  13. Petrou SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Jan. 28, 2013.
  14. Lightner DT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2013.
DS00828 Feb. 7, 2013

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