Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activities such as laughing, sneezing, jumping, or lifting heavy objects. It affects both women and men and occurs when physical pressure is placed on the bladder during movement — not emotional stress.
SUI develops when the muscles or nerves that help control the bladder become weakened or damaged. These include pelvic floor and sphincter muscles that help keep urine in the bladder. If they don't work properly, even mild physical activities may lead to leakage. While SUI affects both women and men, the underlying causes can be different.
This can happen to women for a variety of reasons, including childbirth, injuries to the pelvic region, and hormone changes. Other potential causes include age and menopause, family history, obesity/high BMI, and diet.
1 in every 2 U.S. women experience some degree of involuntary leakage of urine.1
Prostate cancer treatment is a common cause of SUI in men.
Surgery (prostatectomy), radiation, or a combination of prostate cancer therapies can affect the external sphincter muscle and its functionality. As a result, symptoms may range from light leakage to a complete inability to control the flow of urine.
Most men who undergo a prostatectomy experience bladder leakage in the first few weeks after their procedure. In one study, five years after diagnosis of prostate cancer and subsequent radical prostatecomy, 14% reported frequent urinary leakage or no urinary control.2
On average, 16% of men may experience persistent stress urinary incontinence 12 months following prostate cancer surgery.3
Pelvic trauma for men can be caused by a car accident, a fall, straddle injuries (injuries to the area between the legs) — or a combination of any of these.
When the trauma impacts the urethra, that damage can lead to bladder leakage. The effects of this type of trauma can range in severity. Some injuries can require immediate or delayed urinary reconstruction. For more severe injuries, some men continue to have bladder control problems.
For some people, lifestyle planning, medical treatment, and pelvic floor exercises may ease the burden of bladder leakage or SUI. Some people are able to manage their incontinence with absorbent pads and protective undergarments.
There are many treatment options for SUI available for both men and women. The first step toward finding a treatment option is talking to a doctor who specializes in treating SUI.
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