What Causes Stress Incontinence?

Stress incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence--an involuntary loss of urine--that can potentially lead to embarrassing situations. The experts at the National Library of Medicine write in their entry for stress incontinence that the condition is the most common incontinence problem among women, though men can also suffer from a loss of urine when they sneeze, lift heavy objects or exercise. Stress incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors. Physical causes for the condition can be remedied through drug therapy, an exercise program and surgical means, if necessary. Lifestyle changes can also help reduce the incidence of stress incontinence.

Pregnancy

Women who are currently pregnant or who have given birth in the past are perhaps the most common group to experience stress incontinence. During pregnancy, the baby puts added pressure on the pelvic area that supports the bladder. The weakened state of the pelvic muscles, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, can lead to stress incontinence in many women. The extent of the problem can range from just a few drops of urine to enough of a loss that some pregnant women may choose to use feminine protection. Women who have experienced childbirth and have recurring episodes of stress incontinence can practice kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles. The best way to learn these exercises is to sit on the toilet and stop the stream of urine by contracting your muscles. Once you have mastered the drill, kegels are easy to do anywhere.

Menopause

The hormonal changes that are the result of menopause can cause stress incontinence in some women. Loss of estrogen is part of the natural aging process during menopause. Lower levels of estrogen can cause a range of uncomfortable issues, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and incontinence. The loss of estrogen in this case affects the urethra's resistance and makes it harder for a women's bladder to be strong when she coughs or sneezes. Women who are in the usual age range for menopause should talk to their doctors about the possibility of hormone replacement therapy if stress incontinence becomes a big inconvenience in their lives.

Chronic Illness

Both men and women who suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses may experience symptoms of stress incontinence due to a weakening of the pelvic floor. Asthma, bronchitis and other conditions in which heavy coughing is a symptom can cause this weakening due to the repetitive strain on their muscles. In addition to trying kegel exercises, people in this situation should speak to their doctors about controlling the cough as much as possible. Smokers are encouraged to conquer their nicotine addictions and stop smoking, as this can be another cause of both coughing and stress incontinence.

Injury

Injuries of many kinds can contribute to episodes of stress incontinence. Men who have had prostate surgery are at risk for stress incontinence due to possible damage of the bladder or urethra during the procedure. People of both sexes can experience symptoms as a result of nerve damage that extends to the bladder, such as neuropathy or Parkinson's disease. If you have recently started taking medications for any medical condition and begin to show a loss of urine, review the side effects of your medication thoroughly. Some drugs, especially alpha-adrenergic blockers used to treat hypertension, can worsen your symptoms.

Lifestyle Choices

Stress incontinence may also be the result of lifestyle choices you have made. People who drink moderate amounts of caffeinated beverages or alcoholic drinks are more likely to experience a loss of urine than people who stick to caffeine-free sodas and other soft beverages. Overweight people are also more at risk, due to the increased pressure placed on the bladder and pelvic muscles from body weight. In these cases, changing the diet may be all it takes to put an end to embarrassing symptoms.