What is continence?

Continence is a vital aspect of human health and well-being, yet, it also happens to be a topic very few people feel comfortable discussing. However, understanding urinary continence and how to maintain bladder control is essential for overall health and quality of life.

Types of continence

There are two types of continence:

1. Urinary continence: Urinary continence is the ability to control the movements of one’s bladder, i.e. the ability to control when one voids.

2. Fecal continence: Fecal continence is the ability to control bowel movements.

How urinary continence works

Maintaining continence involves a complex interplay of muscles, nerves and organs in the urinary system. Those include:

1. Bladder: The bladder is a muscular organ that stores urine until it is convenient to empty it. When the bladder is full, it sends signals to the brain indicating that it is time to empty it.

2. Urethral sphincters: The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and allows it to leave the body. In male anatomy, the urethra passes through the prostate and into the penis. In female anatomy, the urethra is relatively short – it begins at the bottom of the bladder and extends downward to the vagina. Sphincter muscles at the opening of the bladder and along the urethra help control the flow of urine.

3. Pelvic floor muscles: The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and the urethra. In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend exercises known as Kegels to strengthen those muscles. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can improve bladder control.

Causes of incontinence

Incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Pelvic floor weakness: Weakening of the pelvic muscles can occur due to childbirth, aging or obesity and can cause urinary incontinence.

2. Nerve damage: Spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes and other conditions can damage the nerves that control bladder function and result in incontinence.

3. Enlarged prostate: In people with male anatomy, an enlarged prostate can obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder, resulting in incontinence.

4. Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Incontinence is a common symptom of a UTI. People suffering from a urinary tract infection typically present with other symptoms as well: burning sensation during urination, blood in urine, strong-smelling urine, cloudy urine and others.  Read more about common UTI symptoms and what causes UTIs here.

Managing urinary incontinence

1. Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercises, which are a type of pelvic floor exercise, can help control urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor problems. If you’re considering introducing Kegel exercises into your routine, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider first.

2. Bladder training: Bladder training involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits in order to train the bladder to hold urine for longer.

3. Medications: Depending on the cause of incontinence, a medication may be prescribed by your healthcare provider to control symptoms.

4. Lifestyle adjustments: Introducing lifestyle changes, such as staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, carbonated drinks and acidic foods can help improve urinary continence. Avoiding constipation is also essential, so it is recommended to consume a sufficient amount of fiber and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Though exercise is important, some activities should be avoided. For example, lifting and weigh exercises are not recommended. Smoking is also not advisable, since coughing (which commonly occurs in smokers) puts a strain on pelvic floor muscles.

5. Incontinence products: For individuals with incontinence, various products such as pads, absorbent underwear and catheters are available to manage symptoms and maintain comfort.

Incontinence products for men

Male urinary incontinence is commonly managed using absorbent underwear (briefs), pads or adult diapers. However, alternative solutions, like external catheters, are available. Coloplast's Conveen® Optima range may be a fit for you. The Conveen range includes a variety of male external catheters (or condom catheters) and collecting bags (urine bags).

Conveen® Optima is Coloplast's award-winning male external catheter for men with urinary incontinence. It is discreet, reliable and easy to use and comes in compact and discreet packaging.

Use our guide to find out which continence products are the right ones for your unique needs.

Incontinence products for women

1. Pads and liners: These products come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels to suit different body shapes, needs and preferences. Pads and liners absorb urine and protect underwear.

2. Absorbent underwear: These products resemble regular underwear but offer leakage protection. Just like pads, they’re available in different sizes and absorbency levels, as well as styles. They are available in reusable and disposable options.

3. Pessaries: Pessaries are insertable silicone devices that support the bladder and help prevent leakage. They are commonly used to treat stress urinary incontinence. In order to avoid complications and side effects, one needs to be fitted for a pessary by a healthcare professional, since they come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

4. External catheters: Though external catheters are more commonly used to manage male incontinence, some options for women are also available.

Seeking help for urinary incontinence

It is essential for individuals experiencing issues with continence to reach out to their healthcare provider and learn about treatment and management options.  

Sign up for personalized support with Coloplast Care to see what you can do to maintain or improve your continence.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like advice on which products might be best for you, please contact us at 1-866-226-6362.

Information from Coloplast Care is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations. You should rely on the healthcare professional who knows your individual history for personal medical advice and diagnosis.