There are many causes of urinary incontinence. Some of these causes are related to temporary conditions. Once they are treated, the incontinence usually goes away. These temporary causes include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Certain medications
• Increased dietary intake of caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners or carbonated beverages 

Other causes of incontinence, though permanent in nature, can often be treated. These causes include:

• Weakness of the muscles holding the bladder in place
• Weakness of the bladder and/or the sphincter muscles
• Over- or underactive bladder muscles
• Decreases in certain hormones, especially estrogen
• Neurological disorders (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease)
• Blockage of the urethra (i.e., prostate enlargement)