Urinary Incontinence: The Importance of Knowing the Different Incontinence Types & Early Prevention

If you’ve ever experienced a little leak when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or run, you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence is incredibly common and something we see all of the time in our clinic, and yet many people feel embarrassed or think it’s something they just have to accept. But, did you know there are different types of incontinence?

Stress incontinence happens when pressure on your bladder (like during coughing,

sneezing, laughing, or exercising) which causes urine to leak. It’s often related to weakness or coordination issues in the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urethra. Many people notice it most during daily activities that increase abdominal pressure.

Urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense need to go to the bathroom that can be hard to control, sometimes leading to leaks before you make it to the toilet. It’s often linked to overactive bladder muscles and can happen even when the bladder isn’t full.

Some people experience mixed incontinence, which is a combination of stress and urge symptoms. Others may have less common types, like overflow incontinence, which occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty fully, or functional incontinence, which can happen if mobility or other medical issues make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time.

Knowing which type of incontinence you suffer from can help determine the right treatment for you. It’s also important to seek help as soon as symptoms appear, rather than waiting. Many people assume incontinence is “just part of aging” or “normal after having kids,” but addressing it early makes a big difference. Early intervention can improve symptoms faster, prevent them from worsening, and protect your confidence, comfort, and overall health.

A pelvic physical therapist can play a key role in that early support. We don’t just focus on exercises, we look at how your pelvic floor, core, and daily movements interact with your bladder - everything is connected after all. PTs can teach gentle, targeted exercises to strengthen and coordinate the pelvic floor, help manage urge symptoms, and guide you on practical strategies to reduce leaks in daily life. Simple adjustments, like learning to engage your pelvic floor before lifting, coughing, or sneezing, can make a noticeable difference. Beyond the physical strategies, having guidance and reassurance from someone who understands your body can help you feel more in control and confident.

While urinary incontinence is common, it is not something you have to suffer with in silence. The sooner you reach out, even for small leaks, the better your chance of regaining control and comfort. If you are struggling with urinary incontinence and are interested in learning what pelvic floor physical therapy may look like for you, schedule a free 20-minute consult with one of our pts below to learn more.

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