Urinary Incontinence| Assoc. Prof. Dr. Senad Kalkan

In brief

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. There are four main types: stress, urge, overflow and functional. Treatment is planned according to the type of incontinence and how much it bothers you.

Urinary incontinence is not only a physical problem; it can also affect going out, exercise, sleep and mood. The first step at the consultation is to understand which type of incontinence you have, because the treatment depends on it.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Stress incontinence: happens when laughing, coughing, sneezing or lifting something heavy.
Urge incontinence: comes with a sudden, strong need to pass urine; leakage can happen before you reach the toilet.
Overflow incontinence: occurs when the bladder cannot empty fully or the flow of urine is blocked.
Functional incontinence: results from a physical or mental limitation that stops the person getting to the toilet in time.

Causes

Weak pelvic floor muscles
Pregnancy and childbirth
Hormonal changes and ageing
Prostate problems in men
Bladder infection or irritation
Neurological conditions
Excess weight
Some medicines and other health conditions

Treatment Options

Treatment is chosen taking into account the underlying cause and how severe the symptoms are. For most patients, the first steps do not involve surgery:

Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises)
Adjusting fluid intake and diet
Bladder training, gradually lengthening the time between visits to the toilet in a planned way
Medication
Medical devices or continence aids
Surgery in suitable patients, for example sling surgery

Urinary incontinence can be treated. Rather than putting it off out of embarrassment, seeing a urologist is the first step towards a plan that suits you.

Frequently asked questions

Which doctor should I see for urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence falls within the field of urology. In women, urologists who specialise in female (functional) urology carry out a more detailed assessment.

Can urinary incontinence be treated without surgery?

In many patients, pelvic floor exercises, bladder training and medication lead to a clear improvement. Surgery is one of the options considered for suitable patients.

What tests are done for urinary incontinence?

In addition to the examination, urine analysis, a bladder diary and measurement of the urine left in the bladder are often used. Urodynamic testing is done if needed.

Does urinary incontinence go away on its own?

Leakage caused by a temporary problem such as an infection may improve once the cause is treated. When there is a lasting cause, treatment is usually needed, so it is best not to put off being assessed.

Do Kegel exercises help with urinary incontinence?

Pelvic floor exercises are a key part of treatment, especially for stress incontinence. How well they work depends on doing them regularly and correctly; whether you are using the right muscle can be checked during the examination.

Last updated: 11 November 2026