Urinary Incontinence Not a Normal Part of Aging

Urinary incontinence is a problem and not a normal process of aging.

According to Aisha K. Taylor, M.D., a highly skilled urologist and urogynecologist with The Urology Specialists of Maryland at Mercy, there may either be a functional or structural reason for leaking urine.

Women do not have to live this way. Being pregnant can increase a woman's chance of developing urinary incontinence.

Dr. Taylor explained some different problems connected with leaking urine are "stress and urinary incontinence, where the urethra, which is the tube that urine comes out of when the bladder squeezes to contract to empty, that urethra doesn't close when the your bladder is squeezing and contracting to empty, so urine involuntary leaks out."

She elaborated on reasons why.

"That can be due to poor cushioning in the urethra itself or mobility of the urethra passing through the pelvic floor muscles. There's overactive bladder with a bladder squeezing too much and as a result - we're going frequently, urgently, and we have involuntary loss of urine. Sometimes, our bladder is over-distended and we have what is called overflow incontinence and urine leaks out," Dr. Taylor said.

Involuntary loss of urine can also signify neurologic disease. So, it's important to talk with a doctor when experiencing this problem.

View Mercy urologist Dr. Aisha Taylor's interview regarding urinary incontinence.