Urinary incontinence has many possible causes. Some problems are temporary and can be easily managed, including:

• Consuming excessive alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases the rate of urine production. Drinking too much alcohol causes the bladder to fill quickly with urine. In addition, alcohol can interfere with a person’s ability to recognize the need to urinate.
  
  
• Drinking excessive fluids. Drinking a large amount of water or other fluids in a short period of time causes an increased rate of urine production and large amounts of urine in the bladder. In addition, beverages that contain caffeine may also increase an urgency to urinate. Caffeine is a diuretic and consuming many caffeinated beverages causes the bladder to fill quickly with urine.
  
  
• Not drinking enough fluids. If the amount of liquids consumed is not adequate to keep a person hydrated, urine can become over-concentrated. The concentrated salts in the urine can irritate the bladder and cause incontinence.
  
  
• Consuming foods or beverages that irritate the bladder. Carbonated drinks, tea and coffee (with or without caffeine), citrus fruits, juices and artificial sweeteners can all irritate the bladder, causing incontinence.
  
  
• Taking certain medications. Bladder function is affected by many different types of medications. For instance, sedatives, diuretics, muscle relaxants and antidepressants can cause or increase incontinence. Side effects from anesthesia used during surgery can also cause temporary incontinence.
  
  
• Having a urinary tract infection (UTI). This infection develops along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters (tubes from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder and urethra. Bacterial infection irritates the bladder, causing a strong urge to urinate. These urges may result in episodes of incontinence.
  
  
• Having constipation. The rectum and bladder are near one another and share many of the same nerves. When feces (stool) remain in the rectum, it can cause the nerves to become overactive, resulting in urine leakage.

Chronic incontinence is often caused by an underlying medical issue or condition. For instance, pregnancy and childbirth can cause stress incontinence in women due to the hormonal changes that occur and the increased weight of the uterus. Childbirth can weaken the muscles in the pelvic floor and the urinary sphincter (the muscles that surround the urethra). Some studies have shown that women who suffer from incontinence in their pregnancies may have a higher risk of developing incontinence later in life.

For men, chronic urinary incontinence is often associated with health conditions involving the prostate, a gland that surrounds the urethra. For many men, the prostate enlarges with age. The larger prostate squeezes the urethra and interferes with normal urination. Treatments for prostate cancer can also cause incontinence as a side effect.

Other potential causes of chronic incontinence include:

• Reduced hormone levels after menopause. The hormone estrogen helps keep a woman’s bladder lining and urethra healthy. As estrogen levels fall, the tissues can lose some ability to hold back urine. As the bladder ages, its capacity to hold urine declines as well.
  
  
• Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus). The bladder and uterus are located near one another and are supported by the same muscles and ligaments. Surgeries that involve a woman’s reproductive system, such as a hysterectomy, may damage muscles or nerves of the urinary tract, which can lead to incontinence. The body also produces less estrogen if the ovaries and uterus are removed at the same time. Among its other functions, estrogen helps maintain the health of the bladder and the urethra. Therefore, lower levels of the hormone after a hysterectomy may result in bladder control problems.
  
  
• Interstitial cystitis (chronic inflammation of the bladder). This can cause painful and frequent urination, and possibly incontinence.
  
  
• Cystocele (fallen bladder). Occurs when the bladder drops into the vagina due to the weakening of the wall between the bladder and vagina. This can cause discomfort and urine leakage. This condition can occur alone or may be associated with uterine and/or rectal prolapse.These are all types of pelvic floor dysfunctions.
  
  
• Bladder cancer. Incontinence, urinary urgency and burning during urination can be signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.
  
  
• Neurologic disorders. Damage to the nerves and muscles of the bladder can cause incontinence. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system) and Parkinson’s disease (a brain disorder)  are examples of neurologic disorders. Nerve damage can also be associated with diabetes.
  
  
• Obstruction. Urinary stones (small, hard masses) that form in the bladder can also cause urine leakage. A benign or cancerous tumor in the urinary tract can obstruct the normal flow of urine and cause incontinence.
  
  
• Arthritis (inflammation of the joints) or other conditions that limit movement. This can cause functional incontinence by limiting the ability to get to the toilet in time.

There are a number of risk factors associated with incontinence, including:

• Gender. Women are more likely to experience incontinence than men. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female anatomy account for the difference.
  
  
• Age. The prevalence of incontinence increases with age because the muscles of the bladder and the urinary sphincter weaken as individuals get older.
  
  
• Obesity. Extra weight puts constant pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles, weakening them and allowing urine to leak.
  
  
• Participating in high-impact activities. Running, sports and other weight-bearing exercises can cause sudden episodes of incontinence in healthy women. These activities place sudden, strong pressure on the bladder, allowing urine to leak past the urinary sphincter.
  
  
• Smoking cigarettes. Some studies have shown that smokers have a higher incidence of incontinence than nonsmokers. The chronic cough associated with smoking puts pressure on the urinary sphincter.