Q: My doctor tells me I have urinary incontinence, but I’m only 35 years old! 
How is that possible? I thought only elderly people suffered from this.
A: More than 17 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence and over 85% of them are women. Incontinence can affect people of all ages and is not considered a normal part of aging. Often, the problem is present after childbirth, but there are numerous reasons for developing incontinence. Make sure you tell your doctor that you are experiencing incontinence so that an appropriate diagnosis can be made and a treatment plan developed that is right for you. You do not need to alter your lifestyle because of this problem. Treatment options, like physical therapy, can be very successful in alleviating your symptoms. A physical therapist specializing in the treatment of incontinence can evaluate your strength and teach you appropriate exercises and techniques to help you learn to control your symptoms.

Q: What is stress incontinence?
A:  If you leak urine when you sneeze, cough, or laugh, you are experiencing stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles under the bladder are weak (often due to childbirth). Aerobics, running, walking or heavy lifting can also cause this problem. Stress placed upon the bladder during these activities causes the bladder to leak.

Q: I take prescription drugs for incontinence, yet I still leak when
I have a strong urge to go to the bathroom. Can I be helped?
A: Urge incontinence occurs when an overwhelming urge to void occurs and you are not able to make it to the toilet in time. This type of incontinence usually causes a greater accident than stress incontinence. It can be due to (but not limited to) muscle weakness or infections in the urethra or bladder. If your physician agrees that physical therapy intervention is appropriate for you, give it a try! With appropriate strengthening and behavioral changes, you may learn to stay dry.

Q: Can physical therapy help men?
A: Yes. Men can be successfully treated for incontinence. The causes of their incontinence may be different, prostate surgery for example, but men are appropriate candidates for physical therapy intervention for urinary incontinence.