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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of stress incontinence may include:

  • Personal distress. If you experience stress incontinence, you may feel embarrassed and distressed by the condition. It often disrupts work, social activities, interpersonal relationships and sexual relations.
  • Mixed urinary incontinence. Mixed incontinence usually involves 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 can happen with severe incontinence if you don't take precautions, such as using moisture barriers or incontinence pads. However, use of incontinence products can cause further embarrassment and personal distress.
References
  1. Fong E, et al. Urinary incontinence. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:599.
  2. Nitti VW, et al. Urinary incontinence: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and management overview. In: Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/214316744-4/1038180294/1445/63.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50062-5--cesec2_4438. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  3. DuBeau C. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  4. DuBeau C. Epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  5. DuBeau C. Treatment of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  6. Urinary incontinence. WomensHealth.gov.  http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/urinary-incontinence.cfm. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  7. Urinary incontinence in women. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 17, 2010.
  8. Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 19, 2010.
  9. Clinician training & resources FAQ. FemSoft Insert. http://www.femsofttraining.com.   Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
DS00828 Oct. 16, 2010

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