1. 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.

2. 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 thought to occur when the muscles in the bladder become overly sensitive or overactive. 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.

3. 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 bladderweakness 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.