Urinary incontinence in women

Urinary incontinence in women is a very common problem, with four out of every ten experiencing some form of incontinence during their lifetime.

These are the main types of incontinence:

Stress incontinence

For example, you leak urine when coughing.

▸ Find out about stress incontinence

Urge incontinence
(Overactive bladder)

You experience sudden urgency, which can result in leaking.

▸ Find out about urge incontinence - overactive bladder

Mixed incontinence

This is a combination of stress incontinence and overactivity.

Research shows patients respond very well to treatment for incontinence, when correctly assessed and diagnosed. We offer the full range of treatments, from non-invasive therapies to advanced surgical techniques.

This means we are able to offer optimal solutions tailored to each individual patient.

It is also important to note that symptoms associated with incontinence may be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or cystitis and it is therefore important to have a full medical assessment.

Step-by-step approach to treating incontinence

We provide a step-by-step approach to the treatment of incontinence, offering the most non-invasive therapies initially and working incrementally through the steps until an effective solution is found.

Non-invasive treatments

Step 1: Behavioural therapy
Step 2: Pelvic floor exercises
Step 3: Medication

Invasive treatments

Step 4: Acupuncture and percutaneous nerve stimulation (PTENS)
Step 5: Minimally invasive techniques
Step 6: Surgery

Find out more

▸ Our step-by-step incontinence treatment programme in detail

“There is now a wide range of established treatments for incontinence, with many effective, non-invasive options. Women should not feel they have to simply put up with problems which often have a very distressing and limiting impact on their lives.”

Jeremy Ockrim, Consultant Urologist, Harley Street Urology

Urinary incontinence in women is a very common problem but fortunately there are many effective treatments, including minimally invasive options and advanced solutions for women with more severe difficulties.