Incontinence in women is much more common than it is in men. In fact, over twice as many females suffer from this malady than males. Even though this is the case, you should never view it as normal or natural, as it can be treated in a majority of cases.

Most doctors feel that by far the biggest contributing factors to this problem are childbirth and pregnancy. It is not uncommon for women to have some issues with incontinence during pregnancy, especially in the last three months. This occurs because not only does the baby crush the bladder, but it also stretches the pelvic muscles, making it harder to control urination.

This problem goes away eventually after pregnancy for the majority of women, but for some it can have long-term effects. The stretched pelvic muscles sometimes do not repair themselves, and can remain torn and weak, causing incontinence.

There are other causes as well. These can include: alcohol and caffeine consumption, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, obesity, and more. It is important to remember that the problem by itself is not a disorder, but rather a symptom of a larger issue. This is why it is very important to visit your doctor as soon as signs of incontinence show up.

There are three types of incontinence that your doctor will probably ask about:

- Urge incontinence - This type consists of when you feel a sudden urge to go to the bathroom because your bladder is full, and you often can't get to the bathroom on time. Also, you feel an urge to use the bathroom at strange times, such as while sleeping.

- Stress incontinence - This is leakage, by accident and involuntary, for different reasons, such as laughing too hard or coughing.

- Overactive bladder - This is when you need to urinate much more frequently than a normal person would. This often occurs right before menopause as the body starts to slow down. This can mean having to go to the bathroom up to eight times during the day, and up to three times during the night.

When your doctor figures out the causes behind your problem, he or she can begin a treatment designed for you that often contains changes to diet, exercise, and sometimes medication. In rare cases surgery is required. One thing your doctor might recommend is Kegel exercises. These exercises help strengthen the pelvic muscles, making control of the bladder much easier.

Incontinence in women is not an incurable disease. A simple visit to the doctor should take care of your problem quickly so you do not have to worry about the problem ever again.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).