The terms POP and SUI, which stands for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, respectively, have become so prevalent in recent months that it may become household names soon. These two medical conditions have been closely identified with the vaginal mesh controversy which has resulted to vaginal mesh lawsuits due to the complications attributed to them.

Much has been discussed about these conditions that SUI may become generic of urinary incontinence. While SUI may be the most common type of urinary incontinence, the other types have also their own share of sufferers. With almost half of the women eventually experiencing urinary incontinence, the number that will be affected by these other types of incontinence may be substantial enough. It might be worthwhile to get acquainted with these conditions.

Urge Incontinence or Detrusor Overactivity

Urge incontinence, which is also known as overactive bladder or detrusor instability, is caused by the overactivity of the muscles that squeezes the bladder. In many cases, there is a loss of urine mainly due to the failure to reach the toilet after the urge to urinate. This urge usually becomes very frequent and may come very suddenly.

Others have described this condition as one in which there is the sudden urge to go and then followed by an involuntary loss of urine. The warning signs may come in a few seconds or a minute long.

It is believed that this is caused by the involuntary spasm of the bladder muscles. Urge incontinence have been traced to poor bladder habits which may have started during childhood, when children are instructed by parents or teachers to go to the toilet even when the need was absent. This habit may have been carried to adulthood, which may irritate the bladder muscles, causing them to move in spasm even before the bladder is full.

Other factors that may cause urge incontinence include medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and even urinary tract infections. Some foods and beverages like coffee may irritate the bladder worsening the incontinence. Another contributing factor is low fluid intake which makes the urine concentrated resulting to bladder irritation.

Mixed Incontinence

A person is said to have mixed incontinence when she suffers more than one form of urinary incontinence. The usual combination for mixed incontinence is stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge incontinence. The causes for each individual type are also responsible for this mixed incontinence. Prevention and treatment might likewise be the same.

Overflow Incontinence or Bladder Oversensitivity

Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder is unable to void completely which results to constant or frequent leakage of urine in small amounts. The bladder in this case becomes distended that ultimately the sphincter muscles open up causing the urine leakage.

When a woman has overflow incontinence, she may have that feeling of needing to empty the bladder but cannot do so or in many instances there is a weak trickle of urine. It should be noted that the remaining urine in the bladder may cause infections to the bladder or kidneys which is why it is imperative to have this condition checked by a specialist immediately.

Many factors have been attributed to causing this condition. An obstruction in the opening of the bladder in the form of stones, tumors, prolapse or a full bowel may trigger overflow incontinence. Any damage to the nerve connecting to the bladder may also bring about this ailment. Overflow incontinence may also be the result of medical conditions such as diabetes and sclerosis or due to certain medications.