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)
