urinary incontinence

Incontinence is the inability to control the passage of urine. This can range from an occasional leakage of urine, to a complete inability to hold any urine.

The two main types of urinary incontinence are:

• Stress incontinence -- occurs during certain activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise.
• Urge incontinence -- involves a strong, sudden need to urinate followed by instant bladder contraction and involuntary loss of urine. You don't have enough time between when you recognize the need to urinate and when you actually do urinate.

Bowel incontinence, a separate topic, is the inability to control the passage of stool.