URGE INCONTINENCE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & PHYSIO MANAGEMENT

Urge incontinence (UI), sometimes urinary urgency, is a common condition where you feel a sudden, intense urge to urinate that’s very hard to delay. For many people, this strong urge leads to involuntary leakage before reaching the toilet. Even when leakage doesn’t occur, the constant urgency can cause stress, anxiety, and disruption to everyday life.

A healthy bladder stretches gradually as it fills with urine. Once it’s about half full (around 250–300ml), you’ll start to feel the urge to empty – but most people can comfortably wait until their bladder holds 500–600ml before going.

With urge incontinence, this sensation comes on much earlier and much more strongly, making it difficult to delay. Many people also experience:

• Frequent trips to the toilet (day and night)
• Sudden urgency with little warning
• Leakage on the way to the bathroom

Urge incontinence can affect both men and women, and while the exact cause is not always clear, several factors can contribute:

• Age – UI becomes more common as we get older
• Bladder irritants – caffeine, tea, coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks can worsen urgency
• Neurological conditions – such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis, which affect bladder signalling
• Constipation – can put pressure on the bladder and worsen urgency
• Prostate problems – particularly an enlarged prostate in men
• Bladder habits – regularly “going just in case” can train the bladder to signal too early

The good news is that urge incontinence can often be managed and significantly improved with the right strategies. Treatment usually includes a multi-pronged approach, such as:

• Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles
• Reducing bladder sensitivity and urgency signals
• Bladder training – gradually increasing the time between visits to the toilet
• Improving bladder storage capacity over time

A continence and pelvic health physiotherapist can help by:

• Assessing your pelvic floor muscle function
• Prescribing tailored pelvic floor and bladder retraining exercises
• Helping you keep a bladder diary to track symptoms and progress
• Using techniques such as electrotherapy where appropriate

If you’re experiencing urinary urgency, frequent toilet trips, or bladder leakage, it’s important to know you don’t have to just “live with it.” With the right support, you can regain bladder control and confidence.

At Hartwell Physiotherapy, our pelvic health physio Brooke has years’ of experience treating urge incontinence and other bladder concerns. Book an appointment today and start taking control of your bladder health.