Condition guide
Urinary incontinence
A clear guide to stress, urgency and mixed urinary incontinence assessment and treatment options in Cape Town.
In brief
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence means involuntary leakage of urine. Stress leakage occurs with coughing or activity; urgency leakage follows a sudden compelling need to pass urine. Some people experience both, and treatment starts by identifying the pattern.
This page provides general education, not a diagnosis or personalised treatment plan. Assessment and treatment are tailored to your health, findings and preferences.
Symptoms people may notice
- Leakage with coughing, laughing, exercise or lifting
- Sudden urgency with leakage before reaching a toilet
- Frequency, waking at night or mixed symptoms
- Difficulty emptying or a weak urine stream
How assessment may proceed
- History, bladder diary and review of fluid or medicine factors
- Urine testing to exclude infection where appropriate
- Pelvic examination and measurement of urine left after voiding when indicated
- Urodynamic testing before some procedures or when the diagnosis is unclear
Conservative options
- Supervised pelvic floor muscle training for stress leakage
- Bladder training for urgency symptoms
- Review of caffeine, fluid habits, weight and constipation
- Medicines for overactive bladder where appropriate
Procedures and surgery
- Bladder Botox for selected overactive bladder symptoms
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
- Sacral neuromodulation for selected persistent symptoms
- Surgical options for stress incontinence after shared decision-making
When to seek urgent care
- Inability to pass urine
- Visible blood in the urine
- Fever or flank pain with urinary symptoms
- New leakage with leg weakness or numbness around the saddle area
Related care
Relevant procedure guides
Questions
Common questions about urinary incontinence
Clinical references
Consultation
