Which type of incontinence occurs due to increased abdominal pressure, such as sneezing?

Stress incontinence is the type of incontinence that occurs when increased abdominal pressure leads to the involuntary loss of urine. This condition is often triggered by activities that exert pressure on the bladder, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, or physical exertion. In individuals with stress incontinence, the muscles that normally support the bladder and control urination weaken, which can happen due to various factors including childbirth, aging, hormonal changes, or obesity.

In contrast, urge incontinence is characterized by a sudden and strong urge to urinate, often leading to leakage. This is not related to activities that increase abdominal pressure. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is overfilled and cannot empty properly, resulting in leakage. Total incontinence describes a complete loss of bladder control, leading to continuous or nearly continuous leakage, rather than being linked to increased abdominal pressure. Each of these other forms of incontinence has different underlying causes and mechanisms, emphasizing the specificity of stress incontinence to activities that cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.