What are the causes of urinary incontinence?

Causes of urinary incontinence include aging, hormonal changes, urethritis, cystitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Aging

With increasing age, the functions of various body systems gradually decline. This may lead to relaxation of the urinary sphincter muscle, reducing the ability to control urination and making urinary incontinence more likely. It is recommended to strengthen pelvic floor muscle exercises, such as Kegel exercises, which can help enhance the contractile strength of the urinary sphincter and improve the associated discomfort.

2. Hormonal Changes

During menopause or when hormonal imbalances occur, decreased estrogen levels may cause thinning of the mucous membranes of the urethra and bladder, impairing urinary control and leading to incontinence. It is recommended to improve the condition through dietary adjustments and increased estrogen intake—such as consuming moderate amounts of estrogen-rich foods like papaya, mango, and pomegranate—which may help alleviate these symptoms.

3. Urethritis

This may be related to factors such as frequent late nights and excessive alcohol consumption. Inflammation can irritate the bladder and urethra, causing symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination; severe cases may result in urinary incontinence. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as azithromycin capsules, cefixime capsules, or minocycline hydrochloride capsules for treatment.

4. Cystitis

This may be associated with factors such as sex hormone fluctuations and decreased immunity. Inflammation can cause congestion and edema of the bladder wall, impairing its urine storage function and potentially leading to urinary incontinence. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as cefadroxil granules, amoxicillin granules, or erythromycin tablets for treatment.

5. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

This is usually caused by hormonal imbalance, genetic factors, and others. The condition may narrow the urethral lumen, leading to difficulty in urination, which in turn may cause urinary retention and overflow incontinence. Patients are advised to take medications such as tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, Qianlieshutong capsules, or Longbishu capsules under a doctor’s supervision to improve symptoms.

In daily life, patients are encouraged to engage in appropriate physical exercise, such as running or walking, drink plenty of warm water, avoid staying up late, and adopt healthy habits that support recovery.