Urinary Problems
Common urinary problems in women are urinary incontinence, overactive bladder (OAB), and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Signs & Symptoms
Urinary incontinence means you lose bladder control or can’t store urine like you should. Although there are many types, the most common ones in women are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
Stress Incontinence
Urine leaks out with a sudden rise in pressure in the abdomen. This can occur when you cough, sneeze, lift, jump, run or strain to pass stool.
Urge Incontinence
Urine is released before you can get to the toilet due to a sudden and intense urge to urinate.
Overactive Bladder
You urinate often (8 or more times during the day and at least 2 times during the night) and you have a sudden and urgent need to urinate.
Urinary Tract Infections
Bladder Infection Symptoms
- You urinate more often than usual. It burns or stings when you urinate.
- Your urine is bloody or cloudy.
- You have pain in the abdomen or over your bladder.
- Confusion or other change in mental status, especially if you are over age 70.
Kidney Infection Symptoms
- Fever and shaking chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain in one or both sides of your mid back.
Sometimes, there are no symptoms with a UTI.
Causes & Risk Factors
Urinary Incontinence
Problems occur with bladder muscles and nerves that help you hold or release urine and structures that support the bladder. This can be due to many factors:
- Physical changes due to aging or injury.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Menopause.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Being overweight.
Overactive Bladder
Abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time. This causes spasms in the bladder muscles to squeeze without warning.
Urinary Tract Infections
Bacteria infect any part of the urinary tract – the bladder, kidneys and ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder).