Bladder weakness is relatively common – NHS Choices estimates that between three and six million people in the UK experience the condition to some degree. Figures from bladder weakness protection brand TENA suggest that the condition affects one in three women and one in four men over the age of 40.

Types of bladder weakness

Stress incontinence

The most common type in women, this occurs when the bladder is put under sudden, additional pressure (e.g. during exercise, coughing or laughing). If a woman has a weakened pelvic floor, this extra pressure means that her bladder can’t hold urine and small amounts may leak. Changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth and the menopause are common causes of stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence

This is a sudden, intense need to pass urine – so much so that the person may be unable to delay going to the toilet. It is often caused by a sensitive/overactive bladder and while the exact cause is unclear, it may be linked to things like uncontrolled diabetes, diuretics, anxiety, excessive alcohol or caffeine, or urinary tract infections.

Overflow incontinence

Less common, but more likely in men, this occurs when the bladder is obstructed in some way (e.g. by an enlarged prostate gland or urinary stones) and cannot be emptied completely. Small trickles of urine may leak at intervals.

Other, less common types of bladder weakness include:

• Mixed incontinence – occurs when a person has symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence
• Transient incontinence – a temporary condition linked to a cause that will pass (e.g. infection, taking a new medication) 
• Functional incontinence – symptoms result from an illness (e.g. Alzheimer’s) or a physical disability that makes it difficult to reach the toilet in time.