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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that increase the risk of developing stress incontinence include the following:
- Age. Although stress incontinence isn't a normal part of aging, physical changes associated with aging, such as the weakening of muscles, may make you more susceptible to stress incontinence. Also, women in menopause lose the beneficial effects of estrogen — that is, strengthening and protecting the tissues of the vagina and urethra — making the development of stress incontinence more likely.
- Type of delivery. Forceps delivery of a baby may be associated with a greater risk of stress incontinence than is normal vaginal delivery. Multiple deliveries also may be associated with a higher risk.
- Obesity. People who are obese have a much higher risk of stress incontinence. Excess weight increases pressure on the abdominal organs. Subsequently, the "resting" pressure on the bladder may be increased even without the additional pressure from a cough or other force.
- Previous pelvic surgery. Hysterectomy in women, and particularly prostate surgery in men, can alter the function and support of the bladder and urethra, making it much more likely for a person to develop stress incontinence. This effect can be either immediate or delayed.
References
- DuBeau CE. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- DuBeau CE. Patient information: Urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~/0j/LeBKevVnHo. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Urodynamic testing. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/urodynamic/index.htm. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Norton P, et al. Urinary incontinence in women. The Lancet. 2006;367(9504):57-67.
- Holroyd-Leduc JM, et al. Management of urinary incontinence in women: Scientific review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;291(8):986-995.
- Norton PA. Female urinary incontinence: Epidemiology and evaluation. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:870-876.
- DuBeau CE. Patient information: Urinary incontinence treatments. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~aup1.o0ho/j5Wk. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Baharak A, et al. Nonsurgical management of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:890-899.
- Rogers RG. Urinary stress incontinence in women. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(10):1029-1036.
- Nager CW, et al. Operative management of urinary incontinence. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:877-889.
- Costa P, et al. Advancing the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. BJU International. 2006;97(5):911-915.
- Khan F, et al. Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Urodynamic testing. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uimen/index.htm. Sept. 9, 2008.
- Rapp DE, et al. Surgical technique using AdVance sling placement in the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. International Brazilian Journal of Urology. 2007;33:231-237.
- Wolter CE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 6, 2008.
