Ask a PT: What Causes Incontinence

Question:

Answer:

"Urinary incontinence can happen when the muscles and nerves that help the bladder hold or release urine aren’t working as well as they should. It can affect both men and women and may show up as leaking with coughing, sneezing, lifting, laughing, or feeling a sudden strong urge to go. Common contributing factors include pregnancy/postpartum changes, menopause, chronic coughing, constipation, prostate issues, lifestyle habits, and pelvic floor muscles that are either too weak or too tight. The good news is that most causes are treatable — and you don’t have to just “live with it.” Pelvic floor physical therapy can help improve bladder control through exercises, relaxation strategies, bladder retraining, and lifestyle adjustments to help your muscles and bladder work together more effectively." — Natalie Graham, PT

Why This Matters

Bladder leakage and urinary urgency are incredibly common, but they are often under-discussed because many people feel embarrassed or assume it’s just a normal part of aging, postpartum recovery, or daily life.

The reality is that these symptoms are your body communicating that something needs support — and in many cases, they can improve significantly with the right care.

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps address the root causes behind bladder control issues, not just manage the symptoms. Through individualized treatment, education, and movement strategies, patients can often regain confidence, improve daily comfort, and return to activities they may have been avoiding.

Most importantly, conversations like this help reduce stigma around pelvic health and remind people that they are not alone — and that support is available.

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