Women’s FAQ

Have some basic questions about female incontinence or Depend^® incontinence products for women? We’ve divided common questions from women like you into three categories. Each is filled with the answers you need.

1. What is urinary incontinence – causes, types, facts?
2. What types of disposable absorbent solutions can help manage my incontinence?
3. What are some healthy lifestyles to help manage my incontinence?

1. What is urinary incontinence – causes, types, facts?

   • Q

     What is urinary incontinence?

     A

     Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This means that you can't always control when you need to urinate. Urinary incontinence can range from leaking a small amount of urine (such as when coughing or laughing) to having very strong, difficult to control urges to urinate.

   • Q

     How common is urinary incontinence?

     A

     Millions of adults in the United States have urinary incontinence. If you or a loved one is affected by urinary incontinence, you should know that you are not alone. Approximately 25 million people nationwide are affected. (www.NAFC.org)

     It's most common in people over 50 years old. But it can also affect younger people, especially women who have given birth. Both men and women can have urinary incontinence.

     Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have this problem. If you hide your incontinence, you risk getting rashes, sores, skin infections and urinary tract infections. Also, you may find yourself avoiding friends and family because of fear and embarrassment.

   • Q

     What causes urinary incontinence?

     A

     There are many causes of urinary incontinence. Some include weak bladder muscles, pregnancy, childbirth, hysterectomy, complications from surgery, stroke, or chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. Other diseases that affect the bladder nerves or spinal cord could also cause urinary incontinence.

   • Q

     How does your bladder work?

     A

     The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into the urethra – a tube below the bladder. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass. Incontinence occurs if the urine leaves the bladder and urethra without warming.

   • Q

     What are the different kinds of incontinence with the symptoms and potential causes?

     A

     Stress Incontinence

     • Loss of urine when you place pressure or ‘stress’ on your bladder
     • Leakage when you sneeze, cough, laugh, exercise, or lift heavy items
     • Causes may include: physical changes from childbirth, pregnancy, menopause, being overweight

     Urge Incontinence

     • Sudden, intense urge to urinate – often followed by involuntary loss of urine
     • Sudden or frequent emptying of bladder; getting up two or more times per night to urinate
     • Causes may include: bladder or urinary tract infections, bladder irritants, stroke, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis

     Overflow Incontinence

     • Frequent or constant dribble of urine
     • Feeling your bladder is never empty; sometimes only a weak stream of urine
     • Causes may include: damaged bladder, blocked urethra, diabetes

     Functional Incontinence

     • Inability to reach bathroom in time
     • Physical or psychological impairment where you cannot reach the bathroom in time
     • Causes may include: mobility limitations, pain with movement, medications, arthritis

     Download a PDF with more symptoms and causes

   • Q

     What can I ask my health care provider if I think I have urinary incontinence?

     A

     To diagnose urinary incontinence, your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and do a physical exam. You will also be asked about your bladder habits: How often your bladder is empties, how and when you leak urine, or when you have accidents. Keeping a toileting journal with date, time, location, foods & beverages eaten, and other notes for approximately a week prior to your appointment would aid the conversation with your health care provider.

     If you think you may have urinary incontinence, tell your doctor. Remember, under a doctor’s care, incontinence can be treated and possibly cured. Even if treatment is not completely successful, careful management can help you feel more relaxed and confident.
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2. What is the right disposable absorbent solution for me?

   • Q

     What Depend^® product should I use to manage my incontinence?

     A

     Depend^® Brand offers many styles and products designed to fit your needs and lifestyle. We have a comprehensive range of size and absorbency levels. Use our product finder to find the most appropriate products for your needs.

   • Q

     Where can I buy Depend^® products?

     A

     You can find Depend^® products at your local store or online. When at the store, look for them in the aisle where other bladder control products are sold. For a list of retailers which sell Depend^® products, please visit the Where to Buy section of this website.
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3. How do I live a healthy lifestyle to help manage my incontinence?

   • Q

     What exercises can I do to help manage my urinary incontinence?

     A

     One of the best ways to try to prevent or reduce the number of leakage episodes is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This tends to be more effective if you have the stress type of bladder issue. For other types of bladder control problems various other methods of treatment are available. Please talk to your doctor about the possibilities for treating your bladder control problem. The treatments your doctor recommends, used in conjunction with Depend^® brand absorbent solutions, will help ensure you can regain your confidence.

   • Q

     How do I do Kegel exercises (pelvic floor muscle exercises)? And do they help?

     A

     Kegel exercises help tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Locate the pelvic muscles by pretending to stop the flow of urine. Squeeze and hold these muscles for three seconds, then relax for a count of three. Your goal is to try to do 10 tightening/relaxing exercises for a set. Rest and then do two more sets (30 exercises total) each day. Your doctor can give you more exact directions.

     Kegel exercises work the muscles that you use to stop urinating. Making these muscles stronger helps you hold urine in your bladder longer.

     Yes, exercises often help, particularly for persons with the stress type of bladder problem. You should consult with your doctor about the type of bladder weakness you have, and which exercises are best for you.

   • Q

     How long before exercises begin to help?

     A

     Depending on the type of bladder weakness you have, you may begin to feel the benefit of exercises after just a few weeks, and after 8 to 12 months there is a good chance you will have reduced symptoms or even be symptom-free. Even if you are not symptom-free exercises may improve your situation and, with the right products to help you, you can regain your confidence. The sooner you act, the better! Most people wait so long that it takes the body some time to get back to earlier routines. Please consult your doctor for your particular situation.

   • Q

     If I drink less fluid, will things improve?

     A

     Drinking less fluid will make your urine more concentrated and in turn may irritate your bladder, causing you to urinate more often. You should drink 6 - 8 glasses a day. However, it is not recommended that you drink excessive amounts either as this could lead to distension of the bladder. Please consult your doctor for more information regarding your particular situation.

   • Q

     What foods and beverages are known to increase urinary incontinence?

     A

     Certain foods and drinks may cause or aggravate incontinence, such as caffeine (in coffee, soda, chocolate), tea, and alcohol. Restricting these foods and liquids in your diet may reduce incontinence. Please consult your doctor before changing or altering your diet.

     Common Bladder Irritants:

     • Alcoholic beverages
     • Carbonated beverages (with or without caffeine)
     • Milk or milk products
     • Coffee or Tea (even decaffeinated)
     • Citrus juice & fruits
     • Tomatoes or tomato-based products
     • Highly spiced foods
     • Sugar, Corn Syrup or Honey
     • Chocolate
     • Artificial sweeteners

   • Q

     Will weight loss and exercise improve my condition?

     A

     Accidental loss of urine can be caused by extra weight. If you are overweight - diet, and exercise may help you lose weight and may improve urinary incontinence. Please speak to your health care provider prior to any exercise or weight loss program.

   • Q

     How do I control odors?

     A

     The best way to control odors is a combination of good hygiene, overall body cleanliness, and using fresh, clean undergarments. Always dispose of products in an airtight container. When traveling or sharing a house with others, dispose of each incontinence garment in a plastic bag with a zip-style seal. Sometimes people are not aware that an odor is present. If you are incontinent, find someone you trust to tell you honestly if there is any odor anywhere.
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